Daily Readings - Mon Oct 24 2022
Ephesians
32And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
1Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;2And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.3But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;4Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.5For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.6Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.7Be not ye therefore partakers with them.8For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
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 are reminded of the transformative power of God’s love and the call to live as children of light. The first reading from Ephesians urges us to imitate God by living with kindness, mercy, and forgiveness. It warns against the corruption of sin and encourages us to walk in love, just as Christ loved us and sacrificed himself for us. The reading invites us to reject darkness and instead embrace the light of holiness, reflecting God’s goodness in our lives.
The Gospel from Luke presents a vivid contrast between rigid legalism and compassionate love. Jesus heals a woman bent over by a spirit of infirmity for eighteen years, despite the objections of the synagogue ruler who insists that healing should not happen on the Sabbath. Jesus exposes the hypocrisy of valuing rules over people, emphasizing that the Sabbath was made for humanity, not the other way around. His actions reveal that true faith is not about following rules but about living with mercy and compassion.
Together, these readings challenge us to reflect on how we live out our faith. Are we more focused on rules and appearances, or are we living as children of light, radiating God’s love and mercy? Let us ask ourselves: Do our words and actions bring healing and hope to others, or do they perpetuate division and darkness? May we, like Jesus, choose to be instruments of God’s grace, bringing light and freedom to those around us.