Daily Readings - Fri Oct 28 2022
Ephesians
19So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,20built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,21in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.22In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
Luke
12In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God.13And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles:14Simon, whom he named Peter, and Andrew his brother, and James and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew,15and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot,16and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.17And he came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon,18who came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. And those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured.19And all the crowd sought to touch him, for power came out from him and healed them all.
Sermon
The readings today remind us of our identity as followers of Christ and the mission we are called to undertake. In the first reading from Ephesians, we hear that we are no longer strangers or outsiders but are now citizens in God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ as the cornerstone. This passage emphasizes our unity and belonging in the Body of Christ, where each of us plays a vital role in the structure of God’s holy temple. In the Gospel, Luke describes Jesus choosing the Twelve Apostles and then descending to a level place to preach and heal the multitudes. This scene highlights Jesus’ compassion and His mission to bring healing and hope to all people.
The connection between these readings lies in their emphasis on community and mission. In Ephesians, we are reminded that we are part of a larger family, the household of God, built on the foundation of faith and testimony. In Luke, we see Jesus forming a community of disciples and extending His mission of healing and teaching to the world. Together, these readings call us to recognize our place within the Church and to participate in Christ’s work of love and redemption.
As we reflect on these passages, let us ask ourselves: How do we live out our identity as members of God’s household? Do we see ourselves as part of a larger community, or do we isolate ourselves? The Gospel shows us that Jesus did not remain on the mountain praying; He came down to the people, healing and teaching them. Similarly, we are called to move beyond our own comfort zones and share the love and hope of Christ with others. Let us strive to be like the Apostles, who were chosen not for their own sake but to serve the mission of Christ. May we, too, be instruments of healing and grace in the world, living out our faith with compassion and generosity.