Daily Readings - Thu Oct 24 2024
Ephesians
13Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.14For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,15Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,16That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;17That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,18May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;19And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.20Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,21Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
Luke
49I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?50But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!51Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:52For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.53The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the transformative power of God’s love and the challenges that come with living out our faith. In the first reading from Ephesians, St. Paul offers a heartfelt prayer for the believers, asking that they be strengthened by the Spirit and rooted in faith and love. He longs for them to grasp the immense depth of Christ’s love and to be filled with the fullness of God. This prayer, born out of Paul’s own sufferings, expresses his deep concern for the unity and spiritual growth of the early Christian community.
In the Gospel, Jesus speaks of the fire he has come to cast upon the earth, a fire that will bring division rather than peace. He describes how even within families, his message will set people against one another. This passage is often misunderstood, but it highlights the radical nature of the Gospel. Jesus is not advocating for conflict, but he is warning us that living according to his teachings will often challenge the status quo and require us to make difficult choices. True discipleship can lead to tension, even among those closest to us, as it calls us to prioritize God’s will above all else.
These readings remind us that following Christ is not a path of comfort or ease. It demands courage, sacrifice, and a willingness to stand firm in our faith, even when it leads to division. Yet, as St. Paul’s prayer makes clear, this journey is not solitary. We are united in Christ, and it is through his love that we find strength and purpose. Let us ask ourselves: Are we willing to embrace the challenges of living the Gospel? Are we open to being transformed by the fire of God’s love? May we, like St. Paul, pray for the grace to be rooted in faith and love, and may we, like Jesus, remain steadfast in our commitment to the truth, even when it demands great sacrifice.