Daily Readings - Mon Oct 29 2018

Ephesians

Chapter 4

³²Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

¹Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children²and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.³But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people.⁴Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.⁵For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person--such a man is an idolater--has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.⁶Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient.⁷Therefore do not be partners with them.⁸For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light

Luke

Chapter 13

¹⁰On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues,¹¹and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all.¹²When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, "Woman, you are set free from your infirmity."¹³Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God.¹⁴Indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, the synagogue ruler said to the people, "There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath."¹⁵The Lord answered him, "You hypocrites! Doesn't each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water?¹⁶Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?"¹⁷When he said this, all his opponents were humiliated, but the people were delighted with all the wonderful things he was doing.

Sermon

In today’s readings, we are reminded of the call to live as children of light and to embrace the freedom and healing that Christ offers. The first reading from Ephesians exhorts us to live with kindness, mercy, and forgiveness, imitating God’s love. It warns us against allowing sin to take root in our lives, urging us instead to walk in the light of Christ. The Gospel from Luke presents a vivid scene of Jesus healing a woman bent over for eighteen years, despite the objections of the synagogue ruler who insists that healing should not happen on the Sabbath. Jesus’ response highlights the hypocrisy of valuing rules over human dignity, emphasizing that the Sabbath is a day for restoration and freedom, not just rigid observance. These readings are deeply connected in their emphasis on living out God’s will in love and compassion. The Ephesians passage calls us to a life of holiness and gratitude, while the Gospel reminds us that true holiness is not about strict adherence to rules but about serving others and bringing healing to those in need. Together, they challenge us to examine how we live out our faith—whether we prioritize love and mercy or get caught up in empty traditions and legalism. As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: Are there areas in my life where I am bound by unnecessary constraints or habits that prevent me from living fully as a child of God? Am I willing to step out of my comfort zone to bring light and healing to others? May we, like the woman in the Gospel, experience the liberating touch of Christ and, in turn, become instruments of His love and freedom for others. Let us walk as children of the light, always mindful of the transformative power of God’s mercy and the call to live with compassion and joy.