Daily Readings - Fri Oct 27 2017
First Reading - Romans 7.18-25a
Romans
For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
Gospel - Luke 12.54-59
Luke
And he said also to the people, When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is.And when ye see the south wind blow, ye say, There will be heat; and it cometh to pass.Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time?Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison.I tell thee, thou shalt not depart thence, till thou hast paid the very last mite.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful reflections on the human condition and our relationship with God. The first reading from Romans and the Gospel from Luke both invite us to examine our inner lives and our external actions, urging us to seek grace and live with spiritual urgency.
Paul’s letter to the Romans paints a vivid picture of the internal struggle we all face. He describes the tension between our desire to do good and the pull of sin, acknowledging that even when we want to act rightly, we often fall short. This struggle is deeply personal, a war within ourselves where our flesh and spirit are in conflict. Yet, Paul does not leave us in despair. He points us to the grace of God through Jesus Christ, reminding us that our liberation from this inner turmoil comes not from our own efforts, but from God’s mercy and love.
In the Gospel, Jesus challenges us to discern the signs of the times and to live with urgency. Just as we can predict the weather by observing the sky, Jesus calls us to recognize the spiritual realities that surround us. He warns us against hypocrisy and complacency, urging us to settle our disputes and seek reconciliation before it is too late. The image of being thrown into prison until we have paid the last coin is a stark reminder of the consequences of neglecting our spiritual lives.
Both readings, though different in tone and focus, point us to the same truth: we are in need of God’s grace, and we must live with intentionality and urgency. Paul’s struggle reminds us that we cannot overcome sin on our own, while Jesus’ words call us to be attentive to God’s will and to act with integrity. Together, they invite us to a life of humility, self-awareness, and trust in God’s providence.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: Where am I struggling with sin? How can I seek God’s grace more deeply? Am I attentive to the spiritual signs around me? Let us pray for the courage to acknowledge our weaknesses and for the wisdom to live in accordance with God’s will. May we trust in His grace to free us from the prison of sin and to guide us on the path of righteousness.