Daily Readings - Mon Oct 10 2022
Galatians
22For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.23But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.24Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.25For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.26But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.27For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.28Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.29But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.30Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.31So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.
Luke
29And when the people were gathered thick together, he began to say, This is an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet.30For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation.31The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.32The men of Nineve shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of freedom, faith, and the call to live as children of the promise. In the first reading from Galatians, St. Paul uses the allegory of Hagar and Sarah to contrast the two covenants: one of slavery and the other of freedom. Hagar represents the old covenant, tied to the law and human effort, while Sarah symbolizes the new covenant, born of God’s promise and grace. Paul reminds us that we are not children of the slave woman but of the free woman, and thus we should stand firm in the freedom Christ has won for us. This freedom is not a license to do as we please, but a call to live in the Spirit, unencumbered by the yoke of sin or legalism.
In the Gospel, Jesus speaks to the crowds about the sign of Jonah, emphasizing that true faith does not rely on external signs but on the transformative power of God’s word. The people of Nineveh repented at Jonah’s preaching, and the queen of the South came seeking wisdom. Jesus points out that something greater than Jonah and Solomon is here—himself—and yet many still refuse to repent. This challenges us to examine our own hearts: do we seek signs and excuses, or do we trust in God’s presence and grace?
These readings call us to live as people of faith, trusting in God’s promises rather than relying on our own strength or seeking external validation. True freedom comes from surrendering to God’s will and living in the Spirit. Let us not be content with mediocrity or complacency. Instead, let us embrace the freedom Christ offers, repent of our sins, and live as children of the promise, bearing fruit in love, joy, and service to others.