Daily Readings - Mon Oct 14 2024
Galatians
22For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.23But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.24Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.25For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.26But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.27For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.28Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.29But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.30Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.31So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.
Luke
29And when the people were gathered thick together, he began to say, This is an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet.30For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation.31The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.32The men of Nineve shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of freedom, faith, and repentance. In the first reading from Galatians, St. Paul uses the allegory of Abraham’s two sons to contrast the slavery of sin and the freedom of life in Christ. Hagar, the servant woman, represents the old covenant, bound by the law and human effort, while Sarah, the free woman, symbolizes the new covenant, born of God’s promise and grace. Paul reminds us that we are not children of the slave woman but of the free, and we must stand firm in the liberty Christ has won for us. The Gospel from Luke complements this by emphasizing the call to repentance and trust in God’s presence. Jesus criticizes the generation that seeks signs, pointing to Jonah as a sign of conversion and the Queen of the South as a model of seeking wisdom. He warns that those who do not repent will be condemned, while those who listen to his words have already been given more than enough to believe.
The connection between the readings lies in their call to live in the freedom and grace of God. Galatians reminds us that true freedom is not about external observances but about living in the Spirit, unshackled from sin and self-reliance. Luke’s Gospel, on the other hand, challenges us to respond to God’s mercy with humility and openness. Both readings encourage us to move beyond superficial faith and to embrace a deeper conversion of heart. This means letting go of our attachment to sin and worldly securities, trusting instead in God’s promises and living as children of the free woman, Sarah.
In our daily lives, these readings call us to examine how we live out our faith. Are we still trying to earn God’s favor through our own efforts, or are we resting in the freedom of His grace? Do we seek signs and proofs, or do we trust in His presence and Word? The moral lesson is clear: we are called to live as people of faith, repentance, and trust. Let us not be content with a shallow spirituality but instead allow the Spirit to transform us, so that we may bear fruit in our lives and witness to the freedom and love of Christ.