Daily Readings - Thu Oct 11 2018
Galatians
1You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified.2I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard?3Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?4Have you suffered so much for nothing--if it really was for nothing?5Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard?
Luke
5Then he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread,6because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.'7"Then the one inside answers, 'Don't bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can't get up and give you anything.'8I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man's boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs.9"So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.10For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.11"Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead?12Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?13If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful messages that guide us in our relationship with God. The first reading from Galatians expresses Paul's concern for the Galatians, who were swayed by false teachings that emphasized works of the law over faith. Paul reminds them that it is through faith in Jesus Christ, not through adherence to the law, that they receive the Holy Spirit. He questions their return to the law, urging them to trust in the grace of God.
In the Gospel, Luke presents Jesus teaching on the importance of persistent prayer through the parable of a friend asking for bread at midnight. Jesus illustrates that even a reluctant friend will eventually respond to persistent requests, and if human fathers give good gifts, how much more will our heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask. This emphasizes trust in God's generosity and the value of perseverance in prayer.
These readings are connected by the theme of trust in God's love and provision. Paul highlights that our justification comes through faith, not works, while Jesus teaches us to trust in God's goodness and to pray with persistence. In our daily lives, we are called to live with faith, trusting that God will provide what we need. We should approach prayer with confidence, knowing that our Father in heaven is always ready to give us His Spirit. Let us embrace this trust, living with faith and perseverance, knowing that God's love and providence guide us always.