Daily Readings - Sat Oct 28 2023
Ephesians
19Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;20And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;21In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:22In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
Luke
12And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.13And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;14Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew,15Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes,16And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor.17And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases;18And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed.19And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all.
Sermon
The first reading from Ephesians reminds us that we, as followers of Christ, are not strangers or outsiders but are instead citizens in the household of God. We are part of a living temple, built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, with Jesus Christ as the cornerstone. This passage emphasizes our unity and belonging within the Body of Christ, where each of us has a place and a purpose. The second reading from Luke’s Gospel shows Jesus at prayer, choosing his twelve Apostles, and then descending to a place where he heals the sick and brings hope to the multitude. This passage highlights Jesus’ deep connection with the Father, his mission to heal and restore, and the call to follow him in serving others.
Both readings are connected by the theme of community and mission. In Ephesians, we see the Church as a spiritual temple, built on the foundation of faith and united in Christ. In Luke’s Gospel, we see the beginnings of that community—the selection of the Apostles, who would become the leaders of the early Church, and Jesus’ ministry of healing, which reflects God’s love and mercy. Together, these readings remind us that we are part of something much larger than ourselves—a community called to live out God’s love and to bring healing and hope to the world.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: How am I contributing to the building up of God’s temple? Am I rooted in prayer and faith? Am I reaching out to others, especially those in need of healing or comfort? Let us strive to live as citizens of God’s household, united in Christ and committed to his mission. May we, like the Apostles, be willing to follow Jesus and to serve others, trusting in his power to transform lives. In doing so, we become living stones in the temple of God, a place where his love and light shine forth for all to see.