Daily Readings - Mon Oct 30 2023
Romans
11But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.12Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.13For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.14For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.15For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.16The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:17And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
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 encounter powerful messages about freedom and compassion. The first reading from Romans reminds us that through the Holy Spirit, we are freed from the bondage of sin and death, becoming children of God. This Spirit not only gives us life but also calls us to live in a way that reflects our divine adoption, sharing in Christ's sufferings and glory. The Gospel from Luke illustrates this freedom through Jesus' healing of a woman on the Sabbath, challenging the legalistic views of the synagogue ruler. Jesus emphasizes that compassion should not be confined by rules, highlighting the importance of mercy over rigid adherence to law.
Both readings emphasize living in the Spirit and expressing compassion. In Romans, Paul contrasts flesh and Spirit, urging believers to choose a Spirit-led life. Similarly, Luke's Gospel shows Jesus freeing someone from physical and spiritual bondage, demonstrating that true freedom involves compassion. This connection invites us to reflect on how we live out our faith—whether we prioritize love and mercy or get entangled in legalism.
In our daily lives, let us embrace the freedom offered by the Holy Spirit, choosing to live compassionately. Just as Jesus healed on the Sabbath, we should not let rules hinder our ability to show love. Let us remember that true freedom in Christ means serving others with mercy and kindness, reflecting the transformative power of the Spirit. May we, as children of God, live with hearts open to His will, prioritizing love and compassion in all we do.