Daily Readings - Fri Oct 25 2019
Romans
18I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.19For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do--this I keep on doing.20Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.21So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me.22For in my inner being I delight in God's law;23but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members.24What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?25Thanks be to God--through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.
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
The readings today invite us to reflect on the human condition and our relationship with God. In the first reading from Romans, St. Paul describes the internal struggle we all face between good and evil. He acknowledges that while we may want to do good, our flesh often leads us to do the opposite. This struggle is universal, and Paul cries out in frustration, recognizing that he is trapped in this cycle of sin. Yet, he finds hope in the grace of God through Jesus Christ, who frees us from the body of death.
In the Gospel, Jesus challenges us to discern the signs of the times and to act with justice. He criticizes the hypocrisy of those who can predict the weather but fail to see the urgency of living according to God's will. Jesus encourages us to resolve conflicts quickly and to avoid being trapped in sin and judgment. Both readings remind us that while we are weak and prone to sin, God's grace is available to us. However, we must take responsibility for our actions and seek reconciliation.
As we apply these readings to our lives, let us recognize the areas where we struggle with sin and turn to God for help. Let us also be mindful of the need to live justly and to resolve conflicts in a spirit of love and compassion. May we rely on God's grace to overcome our weaknesses and may we strive to live as children of light, discerning the will of God in our daily lives.