Daily Readings - Fri Oct 19 2018

¹¹In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:¹²That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.¹³In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,¹⁴Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

Luke

Chapter 12

¹In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.²For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.³Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.⁴And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.⁵But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.⁶Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?⁷But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

Sermon

The readings today invite us to reflect on the profound relationship between God’s plan for us and our response to His call in daily life. In the first reading from Ephesians, St. Paul reminds us that we have been chosen by God, predestined in accordance with His will, and sealed with the Holy Spirit as a pledge of our inheritance. This passage emphasizes that our lives are not random or without purpose; we are part of a divine plan, and everything unfolds under God’s providence. The Gospel from Luke complements this by warning us against hypocrisy and encouraging us to live with integrity, trusting in God’s care and providence rather than fearing the opinions or actions of others. The context of Ephesians is a letter to the early Christian community, reassuring them of their identity as God’s chosen people. Paul wants them to understand that their faith is not just a personal choice but a calling rooted in God’s eternal plan. In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus is addressing his disciples, cautioning them against the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and urging them to live authentically. He reminds them that nothing is hidden forever and that they should not fear those who can harm the body but have no power over the soul. Instead, they should trust in God, who knows and cares for even the smallest details of their lives. These readings are deeply connected. Both emphasize living in accordance with God’s will and trusting in His plan. Ephesians calls us to recognize our dignity as children of God, while Luke’s Gospel challenges us to live with honesty and courage, free from the fear of others. Together, they remind us that our lives are not our own but are part of a larger story shaped by God’s love. In daily life, this means embracing our faith with integrity, rejecting hypocrisy, and trusting that God’s providence will guide us through every challenge. Let us strive to live in such a way that we reflect the truth of who we are: beloved children of God, sealed with the Holy Spirit and called to His glory.