Daily Readings - Tue Oct 13 2020
Galatians
1Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.2Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.3For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.4Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.5For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.6For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
Luke
37And as he spake, a certain Pharisee besought him to dine with him: and he went in, and sat down to meat.38And when the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled that he had not first washed before dinner.39And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness.40Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also?41But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the relationship between external practices and the state of our hearts. In the first reading from Galatians, St. Paul emphasizes the freedom we have in Christ. He warns against the temptation to rely on external observances, such as circumcision, as a means of earning salvation. Paul makes it clear that our justification comes not from the law but from faith in Christ, which must be lived out in love. He cautions that if we turn back to the law, we risk losing the grace of Christ and the hope of true freedom.
In the Gospel, Luke presents a similar theme through the encounter between Jesus and the Pharisee. The Pharisee is concerned with outward purity, criticizing Jesus for not washing before eating. Jesus responds by pointing out the hypocrisy of focusing on external cleanliness while neglecting the inner purity of the heart. He calls them "fools" because they fail to see that true cleanliness comes from within. Jesus then offers a practical solution: "Give alms, and behold, all things are clean for you." This teaches us that our actions—especially acts of charity—reflect the state of our hearts and are essential for living a life pleasing to God.
These readings remind us that our faith must not stop at external rituals or practices. While such customs can have value, they are meaningless if they do not flow from a heart transformed by Christ. St. Paul urges us to stand firm in the freedom of the Gospel, trusting in God’s grace rather than our own efforts. Jesus, in turn, calls us to examine our priorities and to ensure that our outward actions reflect an inner commitment to love and justice. Let us ask ourselves: Are we focused on the external appearances of faith, or are we allowing Christ to transform our hearts? True freedom and purity come from living out our faith in love and charity, trusting in God’s grace to guide us.