Daily Readings - Mon Oct 28 2024
Ephesians
19Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;20And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;21In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:22In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
Luke
12And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.13And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;14Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew,15Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes,16And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor.17And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases;18And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed.19And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on our identity as followers of Christ and our role within the community of faith. In the first reading from Ephesians, we hear that we are no longer strangers or outsiders but are now citizens in the household of God, built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, with Christ as the cornerstone. This passage emphasizes that we are part of a living temple, a spiritual structure where God dwells among us. It reminds us that our faith is not a solitary journey but one that is deeply connected to the broader community of believers.
The Gospel from Luke complements this by showing us how Jesus formed a community of disciples to carry out His mission. After spending the night in prayer, Jesus chose twelve Apostles, each with their own unique backgrounds and personalities. This act of selection was not arbitrary; it was intentional, as Jesus was forming a group that would continue His work of preaching, healing, and bringing God’s love to the world. The scene that follows, with Jesus healing the sick and the crowd pressing in to touch Him, underscores the transformative power of His presence and the mission of those He called to follow Him.
These readings challenge us to reflect on our own place within the Body of Christ. Like the early Christians, we are called to be part of a living, breathing community that is built on the foundation of faith. Like the Apostles, we are summoned to participate in God’s work of healing and restoration, not just in grand gestures but in the everyday moments of love, kindness, and service. Let us ask ourselves: How am I contributing to the building up of God’s temple? How am I using my gifts and talents to bring healing and hope to those around me? May we, like the early Church, be a source of light and life, united in our diversity and strengthened by the presence of the Holy Spirit.