Daily Readings - Fri Oct 09 2020
Galatians
6Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.7Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.8And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.9So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.10For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.11But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.12And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.13Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:14That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Luke
15But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils.16And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven.17But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth.18If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub.19And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges.20But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.21When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace:22But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.23He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.24When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out.25And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished.26Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are invited to reflect on the nature of faith, the struggle against evil, and the transformative power of God’s grace. The first reading from Galatians emphasizes that true righteousness comes not from following the law but from faith in God. Abraham, the father of faith, trusted in God’s promise, and through faith, we too become children of Abraham. St. Paul reminds us that Christ has freed us from the curse of the law, offering us the blessing of salvation through faith. This teaching challenges us to trust in God’s mercy rather than relying solely on our own efforts.
The Gospel from Luke presents a dramatic scene where Jesus confronts accusations that His power to cast out demons comes from Beelzebub, the prince of demons. Jesus responds by pointing out the absurdity of a divided kingdom and asserts that His power comes from God. He warns that unless we align ourselves with Him, we risk spiritual harm. The parable of the unclean spirit returning with seven more wicked spirits serves as a stark reminder that merely cleansing our lives of sin is not enough; we must fill the void with the presence of God. This teaching calls us to ongoing conversion and to seek the strength of the Holy Spirit in our spiritual battles.
These readings remind us that faith is not just a mental assent but a living trust in God’s plan. We are called to move beyond superficial religiosity and to engage in the deeper struggle against sin and evil. Like the strong man who overcomes the armed robber, Jesus has defeated the powers of darkness, but we must cooperate with His grace to remain free. Let us ask for the courage to stand firm in faith, to seek God’s help in our struggles, and to allow His Spirit to dwell in us richly. In doing so, we will experience the transformative power of His kingdom in our lives.