Daily Readings - Thu Oct 08 2020
Galatians
1You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified.2I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard?3Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?4Have you suffered so much for nothing--if it really was for nothing?5Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard?
Luke
5Then he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread,6because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.'7"Then the one inside answers, 'Don't bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can't get up and give you anything.'8I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man's boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs.9"So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.10For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.11"Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead?12Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?13If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful messages that guide us in our spiritual journey. The first reading from Galatians reminds us that our relationship with God is rooted in faith, not in following the law. Paul expresses frustration that the Galatians are turning back to legalistic practices after experiencing the freedom of the Spirit. He emphasizes that the Spirit is received through faith, not through works, urging them to trust in God's grace.
The Gospel from Luke presents a parable about a persistent friend asking for bread, teaching us about the importance of relentless prayer. Jesus uses this story to illustrate that just as the persistent friend eventually receives what he needs, our persistent prayers will be heard by a loving Father. This parable is a beautiful reminder of God's goodness and His desire to give us what we need, even when we feel our prayers are going unanswered.
These readings connect through the themes of faith and persistence. Paul urges us to trust in God's grace, while Jesus teaches us to approach God with confidence and perseverance. In our daily lives, we are called to live by faith, trusting in God's plan, and to pray without losing heart, knowing that our loving Father desires to give us good gifts. May we embrace this truth, deepening our trust in God and persisting in prayer, confident in His love and provision.