Daily Readings - Tue Oct 15 2024
Galatians
1Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.2Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.3For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.4Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.5For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.6For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
Luke
37And as he spake, a certain Pharisee besought him to dine with him: and he went in, and sat down to meat.38And when the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled that he had not first washed before dinner.39And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness.40Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also?41But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you.
Sermon
In today's readings, we explore the themes of freedom and inner righteousness. The first reading from Galatians 5:1-6, Paul emphasizes the freedom we have in Christ, cautioning against returning to the constraints of the law. He argues that relying on works, such as circumcision, for justification diminishes the grace of Christ. True justification, Paul asserts, comes through faith and the Spirit, urging us to stand firm in this freedom.
The Gospel from Luke 11:37-41 complements this message as Jesus critiques the Pharisees for their focus on external purity. When a Pharisee questions Jesus' lack of washing before eating, Jesus points out their hypocrisy—cleaning the outside of the cup while neglecting the inner greed and wickedness. He advises giving from within, suggesting that inner purity is what truly matters.
Both readings highlight the importance of inner transformation over external practices. Paul warns against legalism, while Jesus condemns superficial piety. Together, they remind us that genuine faith is about the heart, not outward appearances. In our daily lives, this means focusing on love and integrity rather than external rituals. The moral lesson is clear: true faith transforms from within, leading us to live with authenticity and compassion.