Daily Readings - Fri Sep 18 2020
1 Corinthians
12Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?13But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:14And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.15Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.16For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:17And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.18Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.19If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.20But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
Luke
1And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him,2And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils,3And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound reflections on faith and community. The first reading from 1 Corinthians 15:12-20 emphasizes the centrality of the resurrection of Christ. Paul argues that if Christ has not risen, then our faith is in vain, and our preaching is useless. This passage underscores the resurrection as the cornerstone of Christian belief, without which the entire edifice of our faith crumbles. The Gospel from Luke 8:1-3 shifts our focus to the community that gathered around Jesus. It highlights the diverse group of followers, including women who were healed and supported Jesus's ministry financially and through their service. This passage reminds us that faith is not a solitary journey but one that is lived out in community, supported by the contributions of many.
The readings are connected by the theme of faith in action. In Corinthians, Paul links the resurrection to the validity of our faith, while in Luke, we see faith expressed through the tangible support and companionship of Jesus's followers. Together, they remind us that faith is both a belief in the risen Christ and a way of life that is lived out in community and service. The women mentioned in Luke, such as Mary Magdalene and Joanna, exemplify this active faith. They were not merely passive followers but were deeply invested in Jesus's mission, using their resources and talents to sustain it.
As we reflect on these readings, we are invited to examine our own faith and how we live it out. Do we truly believe in the power of the resurrection, and does that belief shape our daily lives? Are we contributing to the community of faith, using our unique gifts and resources to support one another and further the kingdom of God? The resurrection gives us hope and purpose, but it also calls us to act. Let us strive to live as people who are transformed by the risen Christ, embracing both the hope of eternal life and the responsibility to serve others in love. In doing so, we become part of a living, breathing community that reflects the light of Christ in a world that so desperately needs it.