Daily Readings - Sat Oct 10 2020

Galatians

22But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.23Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed.24So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith.25But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian,26for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.27For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.29And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise.

Luke

27As he said these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, "Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!"28But he said, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!"

Sermon

In today’s readings, we are reminded of the profound unity and freedom we have in Christ. The first reading from Galatians emphasizes that through faith in Jesus Christ, we are all sons and daughters of God, transcending earthly distinctions such as Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female. This passage highlights the revolutionary truth that our identity in Christ surpasses all human divisions, uniting us in one family under God. The law, which once served as a guardian until the coming of faith, no longer holds us captive. Instead, we are justified by faith and clothed in Christ, making us heirs of God’s promise. The Gospel from Luke offers a complementary reflection. When a woman from the crowd blesses the womb and breasts of Mary, Jesus responds by shifting the focus from biological ties to spiritual ones. He declares that true blessedness comes not from physical connection to Him but from hearing and keeping the word of God. This teaching underscores the importance of living out our faith actively, not just claiming it passively. It invites us to examine how we embody God’s word in our daily lives, aligning our actions with the teachings of Christ. Together, these readings call us to live in the freedom and unity of Christ. They remind us that our true identity is rooted in faith, not in external categories or earthly bonds. As we go about our day, let us ask ourselves: Do we live as children of God, treating all people with the dignity of being one in Christ? Do we not only hear the word of God but also keep it, allowing it to transform our thoughts, words, and actions? May we embrace the promise of being heirs of God’s grace and strive to reflect that inheritance in how we love and serve one another.