Daily Readings - Wed Oct 05 2022
Galatians
1Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me.2I went up because of a revelation and set before them (though privately before those who seemed influential) the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, in order to make sure I was not running or had not run in vain.7On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised8(for he who worked through Peter for his apostolic ministry to the circumcised worked also through me for mine to the Gentiles),9and when James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.10Only, they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.11But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned.12For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party.13And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy.14But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, "If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?"
Luke
1Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples."2And he said to them, "When you pray, say: "Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come.3Give us each day our daily bread,4and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation."
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful lessons about unity, prayer, and living out our faith authentically. The first reading from Galatians describes a pivotal moment in the early Church when Paul confronts Peter about hypocrisy. Peter had been eating with Gentile believers but withdrew when Jewish Christians arrived, fearing judgment. Paul calls him out, emphasizing that the Gospel is for all people, regardless of background. This passage reminds us that our faith should transcend divisions and that we are called to live out the truth of the Gospel without compromise.
The Gospel reading from Luke offers us the Lord’s Prayer, a timeless guide to authentic prayer. Jesus teaches us to address God as Father, seeking His will and provision while asking for forgiveness and protection from temptation. This prayer is not just a formula but a way of life—it calls us to humility, dependence on God, and a commitment to forgive others as we seek forgiveness. Together, these readings invite us to reflect on how we live out our faith in unity and integrity.
As we apply these teachings to our daily lives, let us ask ourselves: Are there areas where we compartmentalize our faith or exclude others? Do we pray with sincerity, seeking God’s will and forgiveness? May we, like Paul, stand for the truth of the Gospel, embracing all people as equal in God’s eyes. And may our prayers, like the Lord’s Prayer, root us in humility and a deep connection to our Father. Let us strive to live as one body in Christ, united in love and prayer.