Daily Readings - Tue Oct 13 2020
Galatians
1For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.2Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you.3I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law.4You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace.5For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness.6For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.
Luke
37While Jesus was speaking, a Pharisee asked him to dine with him, so he went in and reclined at table.38The Pharisee was astonished to see that he did not first wash before dinner.39And the Lord said to him, "Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness.40You fools! Did not he who made the outside make the inside also?41But give as alms those things that are within, and behold, everything is clean for you.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the relationship between external practices and the state of our hearts. In the first reading from Galatians, St. Paul emphasizes the freedom we have in Christ. He warns against the temptation to rely on external observances, such as circumcision, as a means of earning salvation. Paul makes it clear that our justification comes not from the law but from faith in Christ, which must be lived out in love. He cautions that if we turn back to the law, we risk losing the grace of Christ and the hope of true freedom.
In the Gospel, Luke presents a similar theme through the encounter between Jesus and the Pharisee. The Pharisee is concerned with outward purity, criticizing Jesus for not washing before eating. Jesus responds by pointing out the hypocrisy of focusing on external cleanliness while neglecting the inner purity of the heart. He calls them "fools" because they fail to see that true cleanliness comes from within. Jesus then offers a practical solution: "Give alms, and behold, all things are clean for you." This teaches us that our actions—especially acts of charity—reflect the state of our hearts and are essential for living a life pleasing to God.
These readings remind us that our faith must not stop at external rituals or practices. While such customs can have value, they are meaningless if they do not flow from a heart transformed by Christ. St. Paul urges us to stand firm in the freedom of the Gospel, trusting in God’s grace rather than our own efforts. Jesus, in turn, calls us to examine our priorities and to ensure that our outward actions reflect an inner commitment to love and justice. Let us ask ourselves: Are we focused on the external appearances of faith, or are we allowing Christ to transform our hearts? True freedom and purity come from living out our faith in love and charity, trusting in God’s grace to guide us.