Daily Readings - Mon Oct 25 2021
Romans
11But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.12Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.13For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.14For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.15For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.16The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:17And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
Luke
10And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath.11And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself.12And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.13And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.14And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day.15The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering?16And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?17And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful messages of liberation and the transformative power of God's Spirit. The first reading from Romans reminds us that through the Spirit of God, we are no longer bound by the flesh but are called to live as children of God, heirs to eternal life. This Spirit not only gives us life but also adopts us into God's family, where we can confidently call Him "Abba, Father." The second reading from Luke's Gospel illustrates this liberation through the story of a woman healed by Jesus on the Sabbath. Despite the objections of the synagogue leaders, Jesus emphasizes that freedom from suffering is a divine priority, even on the Sabbath.
The connection between these readings lies in their focus on true freedom. In Romans, this freedom is from the slavery of sin and death, while in Luke, it is freedom from physical and spiritual bondage. Both readings challenge us to recognize that God's Spirit is always at work, bringing life and wholeness. The woman's healing on the Sabbath underscores Jesus' mission to free us from all forms of captivity, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual. This mirrors the Romans passage, where the Spirit's power leads to a life of sonship and inheritance.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: Where am I still held captive? Is it by fear, sin, or doubt? The readings invite us to trust in God's power to transform and liberate us. Just as the woman was healed and glorified God, we too can experience the Spirit's work in our lives. Let us embrace our identity as children of God and live in the freedom that comes from His Spirit. In doing so, we become partakers of His glory, both now and in eternity.