Daily Readings - Tue Oct 11 2022
Galatians
1For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.2Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you.3I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law.4You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace.5For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness.6For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.
Luke
37While Jesus was speaking, a Pharisee asked him to dine with him, so he went in and reclined at table.38The Pharisee was astonished to see that he did not first wash before dinner.39And the Lord said to him, "Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness.40You fools! Did not he who made the outside make the inside also?41But give as alms those things that are within, and behold, everything is clean for you.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of true freedom and purity. In Galatians, Paul warns against returning to the slavery of legalism, emphasizing that our justification comes through faith in Christ, not through outward practices like circumcision. He urges believers to stand firm in the liberty found in Christ, as attempting to justify oneself through the law leads to a fall from grace. This message underscores the sufficiency of faith working through love, rather than external rituals.
In the Gospel, Luke presents Jesus challenging the Pharisees' focus on external cleanliness. When a Pharisee questions Jesus for not washing before eating, Jesus responds by pointing out the hypocrisy of cleaning the outside while neglecting the inner purity of the heart. He calls them fools for missing the point that true cleanliness comes from within. Jesus teaches that giving alms and focusing on inner transformation is what truly makes one clean before God.
Together, these readings highlight the contrast between outward appearances and inward reality. Galatians emphasizes spiritual freedom through faith, while Luke stresses the importance of inner purity. Both remind us that true righteousness is not about external compliance but about living from a transformed heart. In our daily lives, this means prioritizing love and faith over mere rituals, ensuring our actions reflect inner spiritual growth. Let us strive to live in the freedom of Christ, with hearts cleansed by love and grace.