Daily Readings - Sat Oct 22 2022
Ephesians
7But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift.8Therefore it says, "When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men."9(In saying, "He ascended," what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth?10He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)11And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers,12to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,13until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,14so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.15Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,16from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
Luke
1There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.2And he answered them, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way?3No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.4Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem?5No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish."6And he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none.7And he said to the vinedresser, 'Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?'8And he answered him, 'Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure.9Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.'"
Sermon
In today's readings, we hear from Ephesians and Luke, both of which offer profound insights into our spiritual journey. The Ephesians passage emphasizes the gifts given by Christ to each of us, fostering unity and growth within the body of Christ. It reminds us that our diverse roles are meant to build up the church and bring us closer to Christ. In Luke, Jesus uses the parable of the fig tree to illustrate God's patience, urging us to repent and bear spiritual fruit, while acknowledging the time and care needed for growth.
These readings connect through themes of growth and responsibility. Ephesians highlights the importance of unity and using our gifts to serve others, while Luke's parable underscores the patience and nurturing required for spiritual growth. Together, they remind us that our faith is both a gift and a call to action, requiring us to tend to our spiritual lives and support one another in our journey towards Christ.
Applying this to our daily lives, we are called to use our talents wisely and be patient with ourselves and others. We must recognize the value of community and the role each person plays in the larger body of Christ. The moral lesson here is the balance between patience and accountability, encouraging us to strive for spiritual growth while embracing the unity and diversity of our faith. Let us serve others with our gifts and work together for the common good, ever mindful of God's patience and our responsibility to bear fruit in our lives.