Daily Readings - Fri Sep 21 2018
Ephesians
1As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.2Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.3Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.4There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to one hope when you were called--5one Lord, one faith, one baptism;6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.7But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.11It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,12to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Matthew
9As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow me," he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.10While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house, many tax collectors and "sinners" came and ate with him and his disciples.11When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?"12On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.13But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
Sermon
In today's readings, we are reminded of the profound call to live a life of unity and humility, and to embody God's mercy in our interactions with others. The first reading from Ephesians encourages us to embrace our Christian vocation with humility and patience, striving to maintain the unity of the Spirit. It highlights the diverse gifts we receive, such as apostles, prophets, and teachers, all intended to build up the body of Christ. This passage emphasizes that our unity is not about uniformity but about harmonious diversity, each contributing our unique gifts for the common good.
The Gospel from Matthew illustrates this teaching through Jesus' actions. When Jesus calls Matthew, a tax collector, and dines with sinners, He exemplifies the unity and mercy spoken of in Ephesians. The Pharisees' criticism prompts Jesus to quote Hosea, "I desire mercy, not sacrifice," underscoring God's preference for compassion over ritual. Jesus' ministry is one of inclusion, reaching out to those on the margins, and this challenges us to do the same.
In our daily lives, these readings call us to humility and mercy. We are urged to recognize the gifts in others and work together for the edification of our communities. Just as Jesus reached out to sinners, we too should embrace those who feel excluded, showing compassion and understanding. Let us remember that our faith is not about judgment but about love and inclusion. By living out these values, we become the body of Christ, united in our diversity and merciful in our interactions.