Daily Readings - Tue Oct 16 2018
Galatians
1Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.2Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.3For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.4Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.5For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.6For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
Luke
37And as he spake, a certain Pharisee besought him to dine with him: and he went in, and sat down to meat.38And when the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled that he had not first washed before dinner.39And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness.40Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also?41But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of true freedom and purity in our relationship with God. In the first reading from Galatians, Paul reminds us that our freedom in Christ is not about external practices or rituals, but about living in the Spirit. He warns against the temptation to rely on outward signs, like circumcision, as a means of earning salvation, emphasizing instead that faith working through love is what truly matters. This message was crucial for the early Christian community, which was grappling with the relationship between Jewish law and the new covenant in Christ.
In the Gospel, Luke presents a similar theme through Jesus' encounter with the Pharisee. Jesus critiques the Pharisee's focus on external purity—washing cups and plates—while neglecting the inner purity of the heart. He calls them hypocrites because they prioritize appearances over the reality of justice and compassion. Jesus' words challenge us to examine our own lives: are we more concerned with how we appear to others, or are we cultivating the inner virtues of love, mercy, and humility?
Both readings remind us that true spirituality is not about outward observances but about the condition of our hearts. Paul urges us to stand firm in the freedom of Christ, trusting in His grace rather than our own efforts to earn salvation. Jesus, in turn, calls us to a life of authenticity, where our actions flow from a heart transformed by love. Let us ask ourselves: Am I focused on external appearances, or am I allowing the Spirit to transform me from within? May we live in such a way that our faith is not empty ritual but a vibrant expression of God's love at work in our lives.