Daily Readings - Tue Oct 24 2023
Romans
12Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned--13for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law.14Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come.15But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many.16And the free gift is not like the result of that one man's sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification.17If, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.18Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men.19For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous.20Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,21so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Luke
35"Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning,36and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks.37Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them.38If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants!
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are reminded of the profound connection between sin, grace, and our ultimate union with God. The first reading from Romans 5:12-21 explores the origin of sin and death through Adam, contrasting it with the abundant grace and life offered through Jesus Christ. Paul emphasizes that just as sin entered the world through one man, so too did redemption come through one man, Jesus. The reading highlights the superabundance of God’s grace, which far exceeds the consequences of sin. This passage invites us to reflect on the universal impact of sin and the even greater gift of salvation made available to all through Christ.
The Gospel from Luke 12:35-38 shifts our focus to the call to vigilance and readiness. Jesus uses the parable of servants awaiting their master’s return to emphasize the importance of being prepared for His coming. The servants who are found watchful and faithful are blessed, as the master will serve them in a reversal of roles. This passage reminds us that our lives should be lived with an awareness of God’s presence and a readiness to meet Him at any moment. It encourages us to live with purpose, integrity, and a constant mindfulness of our ultimate goal: eternal life with God.
Together, these readings call us to live in the tension between the reality of sin and the hope of redemption. While sin and death entered the world through Adam, Christ’s obedience and grace have opened the way to justification and eternal life. The Gospel’s call to vigilance reminds us that our response to this grace should be a life of faithfulness and readiness. In our daily lives, this means embracing the gift of salvation with gratitude, living with integrity, and staying attentive to God’s presence. Let us trust in the superabundance of God’s grace and strive to live as children of light, ever-prepared to meet the Lord who comes to us in unexpected ways.