Daily Readings - Wed Oct 14 2020
Galatians
18But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.19Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,20Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,21Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.24And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.25If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Luke
42But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.43Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets.44Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them.45Then answered one of the lawyers, and said unto him, Master, thus saying thou reproachest us also.46And he said, Woe unto you also, ye lawyers! for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are invited to reflect on the nature of authentic Christian living. The first reading from Galatians contrasts the works of the flesh with the fruits of the Spirit, reminding us that true freedom comes not from following the law, but from being led by the Holy Spirit. The flesh, with its selfish desires, leads to division and chaos, while the Spirit cultivates love, peace, and patience. This passage, written by St. Paul to a church struggling with legalism, emphasizes that those who belong to Christ have crucified their flesh, choosing instead to live by the Spirit.
The Gospel from Luke presents a complementary message, as Jesus critiques the Pharisees for their hypocrisy. While they meticulously observe outward practices like tithing, they neglect the weightier matters of justice and love. Jesus’ words are a stark reminder that our faith must not be reduced to external rituals but must transform our hearts and actions. This passage, part of Jesus’ broader critique of religious hypocrisy, challenges us to examine whether our faith is merely superficial or deeply rooted in love and compassion.
Together, these readings call us to a life of authenticity and integrity. The Spirit desires to produce fruit in us that reflects God’s love and peace, but this requires us to let go of self-centeredness and hypocrisy. In our daily lives, let us ask ourselves: Are we more concerned with appearances, or are we allowing the Spirit to transform us from within? True Christian living is not about checking boxes or seeking recognition, but about living in such a way that the love of Christ shines through us. Let us strive to be people of substance, not just appearance, and to bear the fruit of the Spirit in all we do.