Daily Readings - Fri Oct 15 2021
Romans
1What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh?2For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.3For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness."4Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due.5And to the one who does not work but trusts him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness,6just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:7"Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered;8blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin."
Luke
1In the meantime, when so many thousands of the people had gathered together that they were trampling one another, he began to say to his disciples first, "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.2Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.3Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops.4"I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do.5But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!6Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God.7Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the relationship between faith, works, and the ultimate trust we place in God. In the first reading from Romans, St. Paul explores the concept of justification through faith, using Abraham as an example. Abraham, though a father of many nations, was not justified by his actions but by his unwavering trust in God’s promise. This emphasizes that our relationship with God is rooted in grace, not in what we do to earn His favor. Similarly, David’s psalm is cited to show that true blessedness comes from having our sins forgiven, not from any merit of our own.
In the Gospel, Jesus warns His disciples against the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, urging them to live with authenticity and transparency. He reminds them that nothing remains hidden forever; what is done in secret will eventually be revealed. Jesus then encourages His followers not to fear those who can harm the body but to fear the One who has the power to cast into Hell. This is not a call to fear in the sense of dread but a reminder of the reverence and trust we should have in God, who knows every detail of our lives, even the number of hairs on our heads.
These readings call us to live with humility and authenticity, trusting in God’s plan rather than relying on our own efforts or outward appearances. Let us reflect on whether we are living with genuine faith, trusting in God’s grace, and being truthful in our words and actions. May we remember that our worth comes not from what we do but from who we are in God’s eyes—beloved children, worth more than many sparrows.