Daily Readings - Mon Sep 07 2020
1 Corinthians
1It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.2And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.3For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,4In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,5To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.6Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?7Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:8Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
Luke
6And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered.7And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him.8But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth.9Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?10And looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other.11And they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two distinct yet interconnected lessons on morality and compassion. The first reading from 1 Corinthians addresses a grave moral issue within the early Christian community. Paul expresses concern over the community's tolerance of incest, urging them to expel the offender to preserve their spiritual integrity. He uses the metaphor of leaven to illustrate how sin can permeate the entire community if not addressed. Paul connects this to the Passover, emphasizing the need for sincerity and truthfulness in their lives.
The Gospel from Luke presents a scenario where Jesus heals a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath, challenging the Pharisees' strict observance. Jesus questions their understanding of the Sabbath, asserting that it is lawful to do good and heal. This act of compassion angers the Pharisees, who then plot against him. This narrative highlights Jesus' teaching that compassion should guide our actions, even in the face of rigid rules.
Together, these readings teach us about balancing moral standards with compassion. They remind us to address sin within our communities with integrity, while also being guided by mercy. The moral lesson is that true righteousness involves both upholding moral principles and showing compassion. We should strive to create supportive communities that foster virtuous living through understanding and mercy.