Daily Readings - Sat Oct 19 2024

¹⁵For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints,¹⁶I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers,¹⁷that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him,¹⁸having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,¹⁹and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might²⁰that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places,²¹far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.²²And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church,²³which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Luke

Chapter 12

⁸"And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God,⁹but the one who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God.¹⁰And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.¹¹And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say,¹²for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say."

Sermon

In today's readings, we delve into the essence of faith, the power of the Holy Spirit, and the call to bold discipleship. The first reading from Ephesians is a heartfelt prayer where Paul expresses gratitude for the faith and love of the Ephesian community. He prays for their spiritual enlightenment, that they may grasp the hope and riches of their inheritance in Christ. This passage emphasizes the exalted position of Christ, who is above all creation and the head of the Church, which is His body. It invites us to reflect on our understanding of Christ's role in our lives and the Church's unity in Him. The Gospel from Luke shifts our focus to the personal commitment required in following Christ. Jesus underscores the importance of openly confessing Him, promising that such faithfulness will be acknowledged before the angels. Conversely, denial of Him will lead to being denied. Jesus also addresses the gravity of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, a sin that goes unforgiven. He then offers reassurance, urging the disciples not to fear persecution, for the Holy Spirit will guide their words in times of trial. These readings intertwine through the theme of the Holy Spirit's role in empowering believers. In Ephesians, the Spirit provides wisdom and revelation, while in Luke, the Spirit offers courage and guidance in adversity. Together, they remind us that our faith journey is not solitary but supported by divine grace. As we navigate life's challenges, we are called to trust in the Spirit's power, embracing our role as faithful witnesses of Christ. May we seek the Spirit's wisdom and courage, living as bold and hopeful disciples, united in the body of Christ.