Daily Readings - Sat Sep 21 2019
Ephesians
1I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,2With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;3Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.4There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;5One Lord, one faith, one baptism,6One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.7But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.11And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:13Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
Matthew
9And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.10And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.11And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?12But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.13But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the essence of our calling as followers of Christ and the nature of His mission. In Ephesians, we are reminded of the importance of living a life worthy of our vocation, one that is characterized by humility, patience, and unity. The passage emphasizes that each of us has been given unique gifts by God, not for our own glory, but for the building up of the body of Christ. This diversity of gifts is a reflection of the rich tapestry of the Church, where each member plays a vital role in the edification of the community. The ultimate goal is the unity of faith and the full knowledge of the Son of God, where we all reach the stature of the fullness of Christ.
In the Gospel, we encounter Jesus, who defies the expectations of the Pharisees by dining with tax collectors and sinners. This act of mercy and compassion is a powerful reminder that Christ came not for the righteous, but for those who are in need of healing and forgiveness. The Pharisees, focused on outward appearances and strict adherence to the law, fail to understand the heart of God’s mercy. Jesus’ response, “I desire mercy and not sacrifice,” cuts to the core of what it means to follow Him. It is not about external rituals or self-righteousness, but about living a life of love, compassion, and humility.
These readings challenge us to examine our own lives and relationships. Are we living in a way that reflects the unity and humility called for in Ephesians? Are we reaching out to those on the margins, as Jesus did, or are we content to remain in our comfortable circles? The call to mercy and compassion is not optional; it is at the very heart of the Gospel. Let us strive to be instruments of God’s mercy, embracing our own brokenness and recognizing the dignity of every person. In doing so, we not only build up the body of Christ but also become the hands and feet of Jesus in a world that desperately needs His love.