Daily Readings - Tue Oct 15 2019
Romans
16For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.17For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;19Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.20For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:21Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.22Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,23And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.24Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:25Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
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
In today's readings, we explore themes of faith, hypocrisy, and inner purity. The First Reading from Romans emphasizes the power of the Gospel and the consequences of turning away from God. Paul highlights how humanity, despite knowing God, often rejects Him, leading to spiritual decay and worshiping creation over the Creator. This serves as a reminder of the universal need for salvation through faith.
The Gospel from Luke presents Jesus confronting a Pharisee's concern over outward rituals, such as washing before eating. Jesus points out the hypocrisy of focusing on appearances while neglecting inner righteousness. He teaches that true purity comes from within, suggesting that giving alms can cleanse the heart, emphasizing the importance of sincere actions over mere rituals.
These readings relate by contrasting outward appearances with inner faith. Romans warns against spiritual decay from rejecting God, while Luke's Jesus critiques hypocrisy, urging us to focus on inner purity. In daily life, this means prioritizing integrity and genuine faith over superficial displays. The moral lesson is clear: true faith is about the heart, not rituals. Let us strive to live with sincerity, ensuring our actions reflect our beliefs, and focus on nurturing our inner selves to achieve true purity.