Daily Readings - Fri Nov 03 2023
Romans
1I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,2That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.3For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:4Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;5Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
Luke
1And it came to pass, as he went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath day, that they watched him.2And, behold, there was a certain man before him which had the dropsy.3And Jesus answering spake unto the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day?4And they held their peace. And he took him, and healed him, and let him go;5And answered them, saying, Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the sabbath day?6And they could not answer him again to these things.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound reflections on compassion and the heart of God's law. The first reading from Romans reveals Paul's deep sorrow for his Jewish brothers who have not yet embraced Christ. His willingness to be cut off from Christ for their sake underscores his immense love and solidarity with his people. This passage is part of Paul's broader discussion on the relationship between Jews and Gentiles in God's plan, highlighting his emotional and spiritual investment in their salvation.
The Gospel from Luke presents Jesus healing a man with edema on the Sabbath, challenging the Pharisees' strict interpretation of the law. Jesus' actions emphasize that compassion should not be confined by rules, teaching us to prioritize love and mercy. This healing is set during a meal at a Pharisee's house, a context that highlights Jesus' mission to redefine the law's purpose as an instrument of love rather than control.
Both readings converge on the theme of balancing law with compassion. Paul's anguish and Jesus' healing illustrate that true faith requires us to go beyond mere rule-following. In our daily lives, we face situations where strict adherence to rules might hinder acts of love. These readings encourage us to embrace compassion, understanding that love and mercy are at the core of God's will. Let us strive to live with hearts open to others, reflecting the love of Christ in all we do.