Daily Readings - Mon Oct 12 2020
Galatians
22For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and one by a free woman.23But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born through promise.24Now this may be interpreted allegorically: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar.25Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children.26But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.27For it is written, "Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear; break forth and cry aloud, you who are not in labor! For the children of the desolate one will be more than those of the one who has a husband."28Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise.29But just as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now.30But what does the Scripture say? "Cast out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman shall not inherit with the son of the free woman."31So, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman.
Luke
29When the crowds were increasing, he began to say, "This generation is an evil generation. It seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.30For as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so will the Son of Man be to this generation.31The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here.32The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of freedom, faith, and response to God’s call. In the first reading from Galatians, St. Paul uses the allegory of Abraham’s two sons to contrast the old covenant, represented by Hagar and her son Ishmael, with the new covenant, represented by Sarah and her son Isaac. Paul emphasizes that we are children of the free woman, Sarah, and thus heirs of God’s promise. He urges us to stand firm in the freedom Christ has won for us and not to fall back into the slavery of sin or legalism. This passage reminds us that our identity as Christians is rooted in God’s grace and promise, not in our own efforts or observance of the law.
In the Gospel, Jesus addresses a crowd that seeks a sign, but he insists that no sign will be given except the sign of Jonah. This refers to Jonah’s preaching, which moved the people of Nineveh to repentance, and to Jesus’ own resurrection, which is the ultimate sign of God’s love and power. Jesus then contrasts the faith of the queen of the South and the people of Nineveh with the unbelief of his own generation. The queen traveled far to hear Solomon’s wisdom, and the Ninevites repented at Jonah’s preaching, while Jesus’ contemporaries, despite witnessing something far greater, remain indifferent. This passage challenges us to examine our own response to God’s Word and to ask whether we are open to the grace and truth that Jesus offers.
Together, these readings call us to live as free children of God, unencumbered by sin or doubt, and to respond wholeheartedly to the Good News. Just as the Ninevites repented at Jonah’s word, we too are invited to turn to God with humility and faith. Let us not let the distractions or hardness of heart of the world around us prevent us from embracing the freedom and joy that Christ offers. May we, like the queen of the South, seek wisdom and truth with perseverance, and may we, like the people of Nineveh, repent and turn to God with sincerity.