Daily Readings - Thu Oct 21 2021
Romans
19I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification.20When you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.21But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? The end of those things is death.22But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.23For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Luke
49"I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled!50I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished!51Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.52For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three.53They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law."
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are reminded of the transformative power of faith and the challenges it presents. The first reading from Romans encourages believers to turn away from sin and towards justice, emphasizing that this transformation leads to sanctification and eternal life. The Gospel from Luke presents a more intense message, where Jesus speaks of bringing fire and division, challenging the notion of peace and comfort. Together, these readings invite us to reflect on the nature of our commitment to faith and the changes it necessitates in our lives.
The context of Romans is Paul’s discussion on sanctification, urging believers to live righteously and reject sin. In Luke, Jesus emphasizes that his message is not one of comfort but of challenge, leading to division even within families. Both readings highlight transformation—Romans focusing on inner change and Luke on the external impact of that change. This duality reminds us that embracing faith requires both personal transformation and the courage to face its consequences.
Applying these teachings to daily life, we are called to recognize that following Christ involves change and may lead to challenges or divisions. It requires commitment and standing firm in our faith, even when it is difficult. The moral lesson here is clear: embracing the transformative power of faith leads to eternal life, but it is not without its costs. We must be willing to face division and stand for justice and righteousness, trusting in God’s promise of eternal life.