Daily Readings - Sat Oct 27 2018
Ephesians
7But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.8This is why it says: "When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men."9(What does "he ascended" mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions?10He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)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.14Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.15Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.16From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
Luke
1Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices.2Jesus answered, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way?3I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.4Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them--do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem?5I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish."6Then he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any.7So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, 'For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?'8"'Sir,' the man replied, 'leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it and fertilize it.9If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.'"
Sermon
In today's readings, we are invited to reflect on our roles within the Christian community and our personal journey towards spiritual growth. The first reading from Ephesians reminds us that each of us has been given unique gifts and talents, entrusted to us by God. These gifts are not for personal gain but for the edification of the body of Christ, fostering unity and maturity in faith. The context is St. Paul addressing the early church, emphasizing that each member plays a vital role in the community's growth. The church is called to move beyond childish ways, swayed by every doctrine, and instead grow in love and truth.
The Gospel from Luke presents Jesus teaching about repentance and God's patience. He uses the parable of the fig tree to illustrate that each of us is given time to bear spiritual fruit. The fig tree, symbolizing each believer, is nurtured and given opportunities to produce fruit, reflecting our responsibility to use our gifts wisely. The connection between the readings lies in the emphasis on stewardship and purpose. Ephesians highlights our roles, while Luke underscores the need for fruitful living, reminding us that our gifts must be used to bear fruit in service and love.
In our daily lives, this calls us to reflect on how we use our talents and gifts. We are encouraged to avoid complacency and instead strive for continuous spiritual growth. The moral lesson is clear: we are stewards of God's grace, called to repentance and fruitful living. As we go about our days, let us remember that our actions have consequences and that we are given time to grow. May we embrace our roles, seek spiritual nourishment, and produce fruit that reflects God's love, living with purpose and humility.