Daily Readings - Wed Oct 16 2024
Galatians
18But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.19Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,20Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,21Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.24And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.25If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Luke
42But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.43Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets.44Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them.45Then answered one of the lawyers, and said unto him, Master, thus saying thou reproachest us also.46And he said, Woe unto you also, ye lawyers! for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers.
Sermon
In today's readings, we are presented with a profound contrast between living a life guided by the Holy Spirit and one dominated by worldly desires and hypocrisy. The first reading from Galatians highlights the struggle between the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit. Paul reminds us that when we allow the Spirit to lead us, we are no longer bound by the law, but instead, we cultivate virtues such as charity, joy, and peace. These fruits are not just abstract concepts but tangible expressions of a life transformed by grace.
The Gospel from Luke offers a complementary message as Jesus critiques the Pharisees for their outward piety, which masks their inner neglect of justice and love. The Pharisees meticulously observe rituals like tithing, yet they fail to embody the essence of God’s commandments—love and compassion. Jesus’ words serve as a warning against hypocrisy, urging us to examine our own hearts and actions. Like the Pharisees, we often focus on what others see, forgetting that true faith is about living authentically from the inside out.
These readings invite us to reflect on our own lives. Are we more concerned with appearances, or are we genuinely striving to live according to the Spirit? Let us ask ourselves: Do our actions reflect love, patience, and kindness, or are we caught up in self-interest and superficiality? The moral lesson is clear: True faith is not about external rituals or seeking praise, but about cultivating a heart that overflows with the fruit of the Spirit. Let us pray for the grace to live authentically, guided by the Spirit, and to embody the love and humility that Jesus calls us to.