Daily Readings - Mon Oct 12 2020
Galatians
22For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.23But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.24Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.25For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.26But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.27For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.28Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.29But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.30Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.31So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.
Luke
29And when the people were gathered thick together, he began to say, This is an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet.30For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation.31The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.32The men of Nineve shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of freedom, faith, and response to God’s call. In the first reading from Galatians, St. Paul uses the allegory of Abraham’s two sons to contrast the old covenant, represented by Hagar and her son Ishmael, with the new covenant, represented by Sarah and her son Isaac. Paul emphasizes that we are children of the free woman, Sarah, and thus heirs of God’s promise. He urges us to stand firm in the freedom Christ has won for us and not to fall back into the slavery of sin or legalism. This passage reminds us that our identity as Christians is rooted in God’s grace and promise, not in our own efforts or observance of the law.
In the Gospel, Jesus addresses a crowd that seeks a sign, but he insists that no sign will be given except the sign of Jonah. This refers to Jonah’s preaching, which moved the people of Nineveh to repentance, and to Jesus’ own resurrection, which is the ultimate sign of God’s love and power. Jesus then contrasts the faith of the queen of the South and the people of Nineveh with the unbelief of his own generation. The queen traveled far to hear Solomon’s wisdom, and the Ninevites repented at Jonah’s preaching, while Jesus’ contemporaries, despite witnessing something far greater, remain indifferent. This passage challenges us to examine our own response to God’s Word and to ask whether we are open to the grace and truth that Jesus offers.
Together, these readings call us to live as free children of God, unencumbered by sin or doubt, and to respond wholeheartedly to the Good News. Just as the Ninevites repented at Jonah’s word, we too are invited to turn to God with humility and faith. Let us not let the distractions or hardness of heart of the world around us prevent us from embracing the freedom and joy that Christ offers. May we, like the queen of the South, seek wisdom and truth with perseverance, and may we, like the people of Nineveh, repent and turn to God with sincerity.