Daily Readings - Thu Oct 19 2023
Romans
21But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;22Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:23For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;24Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:25Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;26To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.27Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.28Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.29Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:30Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.
Luke
47Woe unto you! for ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and your fathers killed them.48Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers: for they indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchres.49Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute:50That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation;51From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation.52Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.53And as he said these things unto them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to urge him vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things:54Laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound truths about justice, faith, and hypocrisy. The first reading from Romans emphasizes that God's justice is revealed through faith in Jesus Christ, not through the works of the law. Paul makes it clear that all people—Jews and Gentiles alike—have sinned and fall short of God's glory, but through faith, we are justified freely by God's grace. This grace is a gift, and it unites us in Christ, breaking down the barriers that once divided us.
In the Gospel, Jesus confronts the Pharisees for their hypocrisy. They honor the prophets with tombs but reject the message of the prophets, just as their ancestors persecuted and killed them. Jesus points out that their actions reveal a deeper spiritual blindness—they have the key of knowledge but fail to use it to enter the Kingdom themselves, and they even prevent others from doing so. This is a stark warning against allowing religious practices and traditions to become empty rituals that obscure the truth of God's love and justice.
These readings call us to reflect on our own lives. Like the Pharisees, we can sometimes focus on outward appearances of faith—attending Mass, reciting prayers, or following rules—while neglecting the inner transformation that true faith requires. Paul reminds us that faith is not about earning God's favor through works but about trusting in His grace and living in a way that reflects His love. Jesus challenges us to examine our hearts and actions, ensuring that we do not become like the Pharisees, who knew the law but missed the heart of God.
Let us ask ourselves: Are we living a faith that is authentic and transformative, or are we settling for a shallow religiosity? True faith calls us to humility, compassion, and a willingness to let go of our own self-righteousness. It invites us to embrace God's justice and mercy, not just with our minds, but with our hearts and lives. May we strive to be people of genuine faith, who walk in the light of God's grace and reflect His love to the world.