Daily Readings - Sat Oct 26 2024
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
The readings today invite us to reflect on the gifts we have been given and the call to bear fruit in our lives. In the first reading from Ephesians, St. Paul reminds us that each of us has been given grace "according to the measure allotted by Christ." This grace is not for our own benefit alone but for the "perfection of the saints" and the "edification of the body of Christ." Paul emphasizes that we are all part of the same body, united in faith and called to grow together in the knowledge of the Son of God. He warns against being "tossed by every wind of doctrine" and instead urges us to "act according to truth in charity," growing in unity and love.
In the Gospel, Jesus tells a parable about a fig tree that fails to bear fruit. The owner of the vineyard is ready to cut it down, but the cultivator pleads for one more year, promising to care for it and fertilize it, hoping it will bear fruit. This parable is a call to repentance and spiritual fruitfulness. Jesus is reminding us that we are given time and grace to grow, but we must not take these gifts for granted. Like the fig tree, we are called to produce fruit in our lives—fruit that comes from living in accordance with God’s will and sharing His love with others.
Together, these readings remind us that grace is a gift, but it requires our response. We are called to use the gifts we have been given to build up the body of Christ and to live in a way that reflects our faith. Like the fig tree, we are given time to grow, but we must not become complacent. Let us ask ourselves: Am I using the gifts God has given me to serve others and to grow in holiness? Am I bearing fruit in my life through love, kindness, and service? Let us repent of any shortcomings and turn to God with renewed commitment, trusting in His mercy and patience. May we grow in unity and love, bearing fruit that reflects the fullness of Christ in our lives.