Daily Readings - Wed Oct 17 2018
Galatians
18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.19The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Luke
42"Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone.43"Woe to you Pharisees, because you love the most important seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces.44"Woe to you, because you are like unmarked graves, which men walk over without knowing it."45One of the experts in the law answered him, "Teacher, when you say these things, you insult us also."46Jesus replied, "And you experts in the law, woe to you, because you load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of true spirituality and the dangers of hypocrisy. In the first reading from Galatians, St. Paul contrasts the "works of the flesh" with the "fruits of the Spirit." He warns that living by our selfish desires—such as jealousy, envy, and hostility—can separate us from God. On the other hand, when we allow the Spirit to guide us, we bear fruits like charity, joy, peace, and patience. This passage reminds us that our actions and attitudes reveal whether we are living in harmony with God’s will.
In the Gospel, Jesus addresses the Pharisees, criticizing their obsession with outward appearances of piety while neglecting the deeper demands of justice and love. He condemns their love for prestige and their failure to recognize the weight of their own hypocrisy. Jesus’ words are a stark reminder that true faith cannot be reduced to rituals or external displays; it must transform our hearts and actions. The Pharisees’ error was focusing on what others saw rather than cultivating an authentic relationship with God.
These readings challenge us to examine our own lives. Are we living by the Spirit, allowing God’s grace to shape our thoughts and actions, or are we caught up in superficial religiosity? Do we prioritize love, kindness, and humility, or do we seek recognition and status? Jesus and St. Paul call us to a deeper, more authentic faith—one that is not about appearances but about living in accordance with God’s will. Let us strive to bear the fruits of the Spirit and avoid the pitfalls of hypocrisy, remembering that true holiness is about the heart, not just the outward show.