Daily Readings - Sat Oct 22 2022
Ephesians
7But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.8Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.9Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?10He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)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:14That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;15But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:16From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
Luke
1There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.2And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?3I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.4Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?5I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.6He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.7Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?8And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:9And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.
Sermon
In today's readings, we hear from Ephesians and Luke, both of which offer profound insights into our spiritual journey. The Ephesians passage emphasizes the gifts given by Christ to each of us, fostering unity and growth within the body of Christ. It reminds us that our diverse roles are meant to build up the church and bring us closer to Christ. In Luke, Jesus uses the parable of the fig tree to illustrate God's patience, urging us to repent and bear spiritual fruit, while acknowledging the time and care needed for growth.
These readings connect through themes of growth and responsibility. Ephesians highlights the importance of unity and using our gifts to serve others, while Luke's parable underscores the patience and nurturing required for spiritual growth. Together, they remind us that our faith is both a gift and a call to action, requiring us to tend to our spiritual lives and support one another in our journey towards Christ.
Applying this to our daily lives, we are called to use our talents wisely and be patient with ourselves and others. We must recognize the value of community and the role each person plays in the larger body of Christ. The moral lesson here is the balance between patience and accountability, encouraging us to strive for spiritual growth while embracing the unity and diversity of our faith. Let us serve others with our gifts and work together for the common good, ever mindful of God's patience and our responsibility to bear fruit in our lives.