Daily Readings - Mon Oct 26 2020
Ephesians
32Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
1Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.2And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.3But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.4Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.5For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.6Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.7Therefore do not associate with them;8for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light
Luke
10Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath.11And there was a woman who had had a disabling spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not fully straighten herself.12When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said to her, "Woman, you are freed from your disability."13And he laid his hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and she glorified God.14But the ruler of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said to the people, "There are six days in which work ought to be done. Come on those days and be healed, and not on the Sabbath day."15Then the Lord answered him, "You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger and lead it away to water it?16And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?"17As he said these things, all his adversaries were put to shame, and all the people rejoiced at all the glorious things that were done by him.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are reminded of the transformative power of God’s love and the call to live as children of light. The first reading from Ephesians urges us to embrace kindness, forgiveness, and purity, warning us against the darkness of sin and the emptiness of worldly desires. It calls us to imitate God by walking in love, just as Christ loved us and sacrificed himself for us. The second reading from Luke presents a vivid scene of Jesus healing a woman on the Sabbath, which sparks controversy with the synagogue ruler. Jesus’ compassionate act challenges the rigid observance of the law, emphasizing that God’s mercy and healing know no bounds—not even the Sabbath.
The connection between these readings lies in their emphasis on living according to God’s will and prioritizing love and compassion over human traditions. Ephesians reminds us that our actions should reflect our identity as children of light, while Luke’s Gospel shows us that true freedom and healing come from God’s grace, not from adherence to rules for their own sake. Both readings call us to examine our hearts and actions, ensuring that they align with the love and mercy of Christ.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: Are we living as children of light, or are we still walking in darkness? Do we allow God’s love to transform us, or do we cling to habits and attitudes that separate us from him? Let us strive to imitate Christ by showing compassion to those around us, even when it challenges the status quo. May we embrace the freedom of living in God’s light and share that light with a world in need of his love and healing.