Daily Readings - Mon Sep 09 2024
1 Corinthians
1It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father's wife.2And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you.3For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did such a thing.4When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus,5you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.6Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?7Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.8Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
Luke
6On another Sabbath, he entered the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was withered.7And the scribes and the Pharisees watched him, to see whether he would heal on the Sabbath, so that they might find a reason to accuse him.8But he knew their thoughts, and he said to the man with the withered hand, "Come and stand here." And he rose and stood there.9And Jesus said to them, "I ask you, is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to destroy it?"10And after looking around at them all he said to him, "Stretch out your hand." And he did so, and his hand was restored.11But they were filled with fury and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful lessons about living as followers of Christ. The first reading from 1 Corinthians addresses a moral issue within the church, where a man is living with his father's wife. Paul expresses concern that the community has not taken action, emphasizing the need to expel the man to protect the spiritual well-being of the community. He uses the metaphor of leaven to illustrate how sin can spread, urging the Corinthians to purge sin and live with sincerity, just as Christ, our Passover, has been sacrificed.
The Gospel from Luke presents a different yet related scenario. Jesus heals a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath, challenging the Pharisees' strict legalism. While they focus on the law, Jesus prioritizes compassion, asking if it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath. This healing angers the Pharisees, highlighting the tension between legalistic observance and merciful action.
These readings remind us of the balance we must strike in our lives. We are called to maintain moral integrity and accountability within our communities, recognizing that sin can have far-reaching effects. Simultaneously, we must embody compassion and mercy, reflecting Jesus' example of prioritizing human well-being over rigid rules. In our daily lives, this means fostering communities that uphold standards of holiness while also being places of healing and love.
As we reflect on these teachings, let us consider how we can apply them in our own lives. May we strive to be communities that support each other in living virtuously, while also reaching out with compassion to those in need. True holiness is not just about discipline but also about living with integrity and kindness, inspired by Christ's example. Let us pray for the grace to balance discipline with mercy, that we may truly reflect God's love in all we do.