Daily Readings - Wed Oct 30 2024
Ephesians
1Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.2"Honor your father and mother" (this is the first commandment with a promise),3"that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land."4Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.5Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ,6not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,7rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man,8knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.9Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.
Luke
22He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching and journeying toward Jerusalem.23And someone said to him, "Lord, will those who are saved be few?" And he said to them,24"Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.25When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, 'Lord, open to us,' then he will answer you, 'I do not know where you come from.'26Then you will begin to say, 'We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.'27But he will say, 'I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!'28In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God but you yourselves cast out.29And people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God.30And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last."
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are presented with two distinct yet interconnected messages about living a life aligned with God’s will. The first reading from Ephesians offers guidance on relationships within the household, emphasizing mutual respect and fairness. It reminds us that our roles as parents, children, servants, and masters are not just earthly duties but opportunities to reflect God’s love and justice. The Gospel from Luke, however, shifts our focus to the urgency of salvation. Jesus speaks of the narrow gate, warning that many will attempt to enter the kingdom of God but will fail, not because they lacked knowledge, but because they did not live according to God’s will.
The context of Ephesians is rooted in the early Christian community, providing a blueprint for harmonious living. It encourages believers to embrace their roles with integrity, ensuring that fairness and compassion guide their interactions. In contrast, Luke’s passage captures Jesus during his journey to Jerusalem, where he teaches about the kingdom’s inclusivity and the criteria for entry. Both readings, while addressing different aspects of life, converge on the theme of living intentionally—whether in our daily relationships or in our spiritual journey.
Applying these teachings to our lives, we are reminded to conduct ourselves with integrity in all relationships, treating others with the respect and fairness that God expects. From Luke, we learn that our spiritual state requires more than superficial devotion; it demands a life of obedience and love. The moral lesson here is clear: our actions have eternal consequences. Being a Christian is not merely about outward appearances but about living a life that truly reflects Christ’s teachings. We must examine our hearts and ensure our actions align with God’s will, striving to enter the narrow gate with sincerity and dedication.