Daily Readings - Wed Sep 21 2022
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.7But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.11And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:13Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
Matthew
9And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.10And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.11And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?12But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.13But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Sermon
In today's readings, we are reminded of the profound call to live a life of unity and compassion. The first reading from Ephesians encourages us to embrace our diverse roles within the Church, fostering unity through humility and patience. It highlights that each of us has been gifted by God to contribute to the community's growth and perfection. The Gospel from Matthew illustrates Jesus' mission to reach out to sinners, emphasizing that His ministry is one of mercy and inclusion, not exclusion or judgment.
The context of Ephesians is a letter to the early Christian community, urging believers to live in harmony and recognize the unique gifts each person brings. This diversity strengthens the body of Christ, enabling it to function effectively. In Matthew, Jesus' encounter with Matthew, a tax collector, and His subsequent dining with sinners, challenges the Pharisees' rigid views, underscoring that His mission is to bring healing and mercy to those who need it most.
These readings connect through their emphasis on unity and outreach. Ephesians calls us to unity despite our differences, while Matthew shows Jesus actively seeking out those on the margins. Together, they teach us that the Church is a place of inclusion, where everyone has a role and is deserving of mercy.
In our daily lives, we are called to live with humility and patience, recognizing the gifts in others and ourselves. We should strive to create communities that welcome everyone, reflecting the inclusive love of Christ. Just as Jesus reached out to sinners, we too should extend compassion and understanding, rather than judgment, to those around us.
The moral lesson here is clear: our faith is not about isolation but about connection and mercy. We are all part of the body of Christ, each with a unique role, and we are called to live in unity and love. Let us reflect on how we can embody these values, embracing our diversity and reaching out with the same mercy and compassion that Jesus showed.