Daily Readings - Fri Oct 26 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.
Luke
54He said to the crowd: "When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, 'It's going to rain,' and it does.55And when the south wind blows, you say, 'It's going to be hot,' and it is.56Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don't know how to interpret this present time?57"Why don't you judge for yourselves what is right?58As you are going with your adversary to the magistrate, try hard to be reconciled to him on the way, or he may drag you off to the judge, and the judge turn you over to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison.59I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny. "
Sermon
In today's readings, we are presented with two powerful messages that guide us in living a faithful and discerning Christian life. The first reading from Ephesians 4:1-6, Paul urges the community to embrace humility, patience, and love, emphasizing the importance of unity within the Body of Christ. He reminds us that we are called to one Lord, one faith, and one baptism, and that our actions should reflect this unity. The second reading from Luke 12:54-59 finds Jesus challenging the crowds to discern the signs of the times, just as they interpret weather signs. He warns against hypocrisy and encourages settling disputes promptly to avoid spiritual imprisonment.
These readings complement each other by highlighting the dual aspects of Christian living: inner virtues and outward actions. Ephesians focuses on the qualities that foster unity and harmony within the community, while Luke emphasizes the need for discernment and proactive resolve in our daily lives. Together, they remind us that our faith is not just about internal dispositions but also about how we engage with the world around us.
Applying these teachings to our daily lives, we are called to cultivate humility and patience in our interactions, striving to maintain unity in our communities. At the same time, we must be vigilant and discerning, addressing conflicts and injustices promptly. The moral lesson here is clear: a faithful life requires both inner transformation and outward action. By living with these virtues and discernments, we embody the unity and proactive faith that Jesus and Paul call us to, leading us closer to the Kingdom of God.