Daily Readings - Fri Oct 23 2020
Ephesians
1I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,2With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;3Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.4There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;5One Lord, one faith, one baptism,6One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
Luke
54And he said also to the people, When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is.55And when ye see the south wind blow, ye say, There will be heat; and it cometh to pass.56Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time?57Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?58When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison.59I tell thee, thou shalt not depart thence, till thou hast paid the very last mite.
Sermon
In today's readings, we are presented with two powerful messages that guide us in our spiritual journey. The First Reading from Ephesians 4:1-6 encourages us to live with humility, meekness, and patience, striving for unity in the Spirit. It reminds us that we are one body in Christ, called to maintain harmony within our community. The Gospel from Luke 12:54-59 challenges us to discern the signs of the times and to settle our conflicts promptly, warning us against hypocrisy and the consequences of failing to do so.
The context of Ephesians is a letter to the early Christian community, urging them to live in a manner worthy of their faith, emphasizing unity and the oneness of the body of Christ. Luke's passage is part of Jesus' teachings, preparing his disciples to be vigilant and discerning, urging them to resolve conflicts before it's too late. Both readings, while different in focus, share a common theme of spiritual awareness and harmonious living.
Applying these teachings to our daily lives, we are called to embrace humility and patience in our interactions, working towards unity in our communities. We must also be discerning, recognizing the need to live according to God's will and to resolve conflicts swiftly. The moral lesson here is the importance of living in harmony with others and being spiritually proactive. As we reflect on these readings, let us strive to embody these values, ensuring our actions reflect our faith and our commitment to living as one in Christ.