Daily Readings - Fri Oct 14 2022

¹¹In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,¹²so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.¹³In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,¹⁴who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

Luke

Chapter 12

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 God’s plan for us and the call to live with authenticity and trust in His providence. In the first reading from Ephesians, St. Paul reminds us that we have been chosen by God in accordance with His eternal plan. We are predestined to share in His glory, sealed with the Holy Spirit as a pledge of our inheritance. This passage emphasizes God’s initiative in our salvation and the profound dignity He has bestowed upon us. In the Gospel, Jesus warns His disciples against the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, urging them to live with transparency and trust in God’s care. He reminds us that nothing is hidden from God and that we should not fear those who can harm the body but rather reverence the One who has the power to cast into Hell. Jesus reassures us of our worth in God’s eyes, noting that even the smallest sparrows are not forgotten, and every hair on our head is counted. These readings are connected by the theme of trust in God’s plan and the call to authenticity. In Ephesians, we see the grand design of God’s love, while in Luke, we are reminded of the practical implications of living out that love in sincerity and faith. Together, they encourage us to embrace our identity as beloved children of God and to live without fear, knowing that we are valued beyond measure. In our daily lives, these readings challenge us to examine our own hypocrisy and to live with greater transparency. Let us ask ourselves: Are there areas where we hide behind masks or pretend to be something we are not? Let us turn to God, who sees all and loves us deeply, and trust in His plan for our lives. May we find courage to live authentically, remembering that we are not just valued but cherished by God. Let us pray for the grace to fear only what displeases Him and to place our complete trust in His loving care.