Daily Readings - Mon Oct 28 2019
Ephesians
19Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;20And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;21In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:22In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
Luke
12And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.13And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;14Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew,15Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes,16And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor.17And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases;18And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed.19And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all.
Sermon
In today's readings, we are reminded of our profound identity as believers. The Epistle to the Ephesians describes us as citizens in God's household, built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, with Christ as the cornerstone. This passage emphasizes our unity and collective role as a holy temple where God dwells. In the Gospel, Luke recounts Jesus prayerfully selecting the Twelve Apostles, forming a community that would carry His mission forward. This act is followed by Jesus healing many, demonstrating His divine power and compassion.
These readings highlight the importance of community and our place within it. Ephesians underscores our collective identity as a spiritual temple, while Luke illustrates the formation of a community through the Apostles. Together, they show that our faith is not solitary but lived within a body of believers, each contributing to the whole. Just as the Apostles were chosen to continue Jesus' work, we too are called to participate in God's plan.
In our daily lives, this means recognizing our role within the larger Christian community. We are called to support one another and be instruments of God's healing and love. As we go about our days, we should embrace our responsibility to contribute to the spiritual temple, whether through acts of kindness, prayer, or service. Let us live with the awareness that we are part of something greater, and may we be open to God's work through us, just as Jesus empowered the Apostles to spread His message.