Daily Readings - Tue Oct 23 2018
Ephesians
12remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.13But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.14For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,15by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace,16and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.17He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.18For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.19Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household,20built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.21In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.22And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
Luke
35"Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning,36like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him.37It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them.38It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night.
Sermon
The readings today remind us of the profound unity and purpose that Christ brings into our lives. In the first reading from Ephesians, St. Paul speaks of a time when Gentiles were far from God, without hope or a covenant. But through Christ, this division was bridged, and all people—Jews and Gentiles alike—were united into one body. Christ’s sacrifice destroyed the walls of hostility and made us citizens of God’s household, built on the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, with Christ as the cornerstone. This passage emphasizes that our faith is not just individual but communal; we are part of a living temple where God dwells.
In the Gospel, Luke presents a parable about vigilant servants waiting for their master’s return. Jesus urges us to be prepared, with our “lamps burning” and our “waists girded,” ready to open the door promptly when he comes. The servants who are found watchful and faithful are blessed, and the master himself will serve them. This teaching calls us to live with a sense of expectation and readiness, not out of fear, but out of love and fidelity. It reminds us that our lives are not our own; we are called to be attentive and faithful stewards of the gifts and responsibilities God has entrusted to us.
These readings are deeply connected. The unity and peace Christ brings, as described in Ephesians, are the foundation for the vigilant and purposeful living encouraged in Luke. To live as children of God, united in Christ, means embracing a life of readiness and service. We are called to be alert to God’s presence in our lives and to use our time and talents wisely, knowing that we are part of a larger household. May we strive to live with gratitude for the unity Christ has given us and with the faithfulness and vigilance that reflects our hope in him.