Daily Readings - Wed Oct 14 2020
Galatians
18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.19Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality,20idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions,21envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,23gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.24And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.25If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.
Luke
42"But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.43Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seat in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces.44Woe to you! For you are like unmarked graves, and people walk over them without knowing it."45One of the lawyers answered him, "Teacher, in saying these things you insult us also."46And he said, "Woe to you lawyers also! For you load people with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not touch the burdens with one of your fingers.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are invited to reflect on the nature of authentic Christian living. The first reading from Galatians contrasts the works of the flesh with the fruits of the Spirit, reminding us that true freedom comes not from following the law, but from being led by the Holy Spirit. The flesh, with its selfish desires, leads to division and chaos, while the Spirit cultivates love, peace, and patience. This passage, written by St. Paul to a church struggling with legalism, emphasizes that those who belong to Christ have crucified their flesh, choosing instead to live by the Spirit.
The Gospel from Luke presents a complementary message, as Jesus critiques the Pharisees for their hypocrisy. While they meticulously observe outward practices like tithing, they neglect the weightier matters of justice and love. Jesus’ words are a stark reminder that our faith must not be reduced to external rituals but must transform our hearts and actions. This passage, part of Jesus’ broader critique of religious hypocrisy, challenges us to examine whether our faith is merely superficial or deeply rooted in love and compassion.
Together, these readings call us to a life of authenticity and integrity. The Spirit desires to produce fruit in us that reflects God’s love and peace, but this requires us to let go of self-centeredness and hypocrisy. In our daily lives, let us ask ourselves: Are we more concerned with appearances, or are we allowing the Spirit to transform us from within? True Christian living is not about checking boxes or seeking recognition, but about living in such a way that the love of Christ shines through us. Let us strive to be people of substance, not just appearance, and to bear the fruit of the Spirit in all we do.