Daily Readings - Thu Oct 24 2019
Romans
19I put this in human terms because you are weak in your natural selves. Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness.20When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness.21What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death!22But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.23For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Luke
49"I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!50But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed!51Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division.52From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three.53They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law."
Sermon
In today's readings, we are reminded of the transformative power of faith and the challenges it presents. The first reading from Romans 6:19-23 speaks of a profound shift from a life of sin to one of justice and sanctification. Paul emphasizes that our bodies, once instruments of sin, are now dedicated to righteousness, leading to eternal life. This transformation is not merely internal but affects every aspect of our being, guiding our actions toward justice and holiness.
The Gospel from Luke 12:49-53 presents a complementary yet contrasting message. Jesus speaks of casting fire upon the earth, symbolizing the disruptive and divisive nature of His mission. This fire does not bring peace but division, even within families, as following Christ requires making difficult choices and standing firm in faith despite opposition. This teaching underscores the cost of discipleship, where commitment to Christ may lead to tension and conflict.
Together, these readings invite us to reflect on the nature of our faith. While Romans highlights the internal transformation and its eternal rewards, Luke reminds us of the external challenges and divisions that accompany a life of faith. In our daily lives, this means embracing the call to justice and righteousness, even when it leads to difficult decisions. The Christian life is not one of ease but of commitment, requiring us to stand firm in our beliefs, even in the face of division. The reward, as Paul notes, is eternal life—a promise that strengthens us as we navigate life's challenges with faith and courage.