Daily Readings - Sat Sep 21 2024
Ephesians
1I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,2With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;3Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.4There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;5One Lord, one faith, one baptism,6One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.7But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.11And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:13Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
Matthew
9And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.10And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.11And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?12But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.13But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Sermon
In today's readings, we are reminded of the importance of unity and inclusion in the Christian life. The first reading from Ephesians emphasizes the unity of the Spirit and the diverse gifts given to each believer for the edification of the body of Christ. Paul urges humility, patience, and charity, recognizing that each person has a unique role in the Church. The Gospel from Matthew illustrates Jesus' inclusive ministry, as he calls Matthew, a tax collector, and dines with sinners, challenging the Pharisees' judgmental attitudes. Jesus' response highlights the importance of mercy over sacrifice, underscoring his mission to call sinners rather than the righteous.
The context of Ephesians is a letter to the early Christian community in Ephesus, encouraging unity amidst diversity. Paul's words remind us that the Church is one body with many members, each contributing their unique gifts. In Matthew, Jesus' actions challenge societal norms, emphasizing compassion and inclusion. These readings together teach us that true Christian living involves embracing diversity and showing mercy.
Applying these teachings to our daily lives, we are called to recognize and value the diverse roles within our communities. We should approach others with humility and patience, understanding that each person has a place in the body of Christ. Just as Jesus reached out to outcasts, we too should practice inclusion and compassion. The moral lesson here is clear: Christian living is about unity, humility, and mercy. Let us strive to build a community where everyone feels valued, reflecting the inclusive love of Christ.