Daily Readings - Fri Oct 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.
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 reminded of the importance of living in harmony with one another and being attentive to God’s presence in our lives. The first reading from Ephesians urges us to walk in a manner worthy of our Christian vocation, emphasizing humility, patience, and love. It calls us to preserve the unity of the Spirit, recognizing that we are one body with one Lord, one faith, and one baptism. This passage speaks to the early Christian community, encouraging them to live in a way that reflects their shared identity in Christ, despite their differences.
The Gospel from Luke shifts our focus to the present moment. Jesus criticizes the crowd for being able to interpret the signs of nature—like clouds and winds—but failing to discern the signs of the times. He then tells a parable about the importance of settling disputes before they escalate, warning that ignoring justice can lead to dire consequences. This teaching emphasizes the need for vigilance and responsibility in how we live our lives and interact with others.
Together, these readings invite us to reflect on how we live out our faith in our daily lives. The Ephesians passage reminds us of the importance of unity and humility in our relationships, while the Gospel challenges us to be attentive to God’s presence and to act with integrity. May we strive to live in a way that reflects the unity of the Spirit and to discern God’s will in our lives, seeking justice and peace in all that we do.