Daily Readings - Sat Oct 19 2019
Romans
13For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.16Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,17As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.18Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.
Luke
8Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:9But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.10And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven.11And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say:12For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are invited to reflect on the power of faith and the trust we place in God’s promises. The first reading from Romans reminds us of Abraham’s unwavering faith in God’s promise, even when all human hope seemed lost. Paul emphasizes that Abraham’s faith, not his observance of the law, was the foundation of his relationship with God. This faith was so strong that it brought life to what was barren and gave existence to what did not exist. Abraham’s story teaches us that God’s promises are not limited by human limitations but are fulfilled through trust in His divine plan.
The Gospel reading from Luke complements this theme by highlighting the importance of confessing our faith in Jesus boldly. Jesus assures us that if we acknowledge Him before others, He will acknowledge us before the angels of God. However, this passage also warns us about the gravity of rejecting the Holy Spirit, the source of truth and guidance. When we face challenges or persecutions, we are reminded not to rely on our own strength but to trust in the Holy Spirit, who will guide us in our words and actions. This teaching calls us to live with courage and fidelity, knowing that God is always with us.
These readings challenge us to examine our own faith and trust in God. Like Abraham, we are called to believe beyond what we can see or understand, trusting that God’s promises are always at work in our lives. Like the disciples in the Gospel, we are invited to profess our faith boldly, even in uncertain times, and to rely on the Holy Spirit for strength and wisdom. Let us ask ourselves: Do we truly trust in God’s plan for our lives? Are we willing to stand firm in our faith, even when it is difficult? May we, like Abraham, become fathers and mothers of faith, trusting in the God who brings life out of nothing and who guides us through the Holy Spirit.