Daily Readings - Thu Oct 14 2021
Romans
21But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it--22the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction:23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,24and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,25whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.26It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.27Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith.28For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.29Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also,30since God is one. He will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith.
Luke
47Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets whom your fathers killed.48So you are witnesses and you consent to the deeds of your fathers, for they killed them, and you build their tombs.49Therefore also the Wisdom of God said, 'I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and persecute,'50so that the blood of all the prophets, shed from the foundation of the world, may be charged against this generation,51from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, it will be required of this generation.52Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge. You did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering."53As he went away from there, the scribes and the Pharisees began to press him hard and to provoke him to speak about many things,54lying in wait for him, to catch him in something he might say.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter profound reflections on justice, faith, and hypocrisy. The first reading from Romans emphasizes God’s justice, which is revealed through faith in Jesus Christ. Paul explains that this justice is available to all—Jews and Gentiles alike—because all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. Through Christ’s sacrifice, we are justified freely by God’s grace, and no one can boast of their own works. This passage reminds us that salvation is not earned but is a gift from God, and it calls us to humility and trust in His mercy.
The Gospel from Luke presents a stark contrast to this message of grace. Jesus denounces the Pharisees and scholars of the law for their hypocrisy. They honor the prophets with tombs but reject the message of the prophets, just as their ancestors did. Jesus points out that they have failed to live according to the teachings they claim to uphold. Even worse, they prevent others from entering into the kingdom of God by withholding the “key of knowledge.” This critique is not just about the Pharisees of Jesus’ time; it challenges us today to examine whether our actions align with our faith and whether we are truly living as disciples of Christ.
These readings remind us that faith without works is dead, but works without faith are empty. True justice and righteousness come from a heart that is humble, repentant, and open to God’s grace. As we reflect on these passages, let us ask ourselves: Are we living authentically as followers of Christ? Do our words and actions reflect the love and mercy of God? Let us strive to be people of integrity, who not only hear the Word of God but also live it out in our daily lives. In doing so, we can truly be instruments of God’s justice and love in the world.