Daily Readings - Mon Oct 12 2020
Galatians
22For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman.23His son by the slave woman was born in the ordinary way; but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a promise.24These things may be taken figuratively, for the women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar.25Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children.26But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother.27For it is written: "Be glad, O barren woman, who bears no children; break forth and cry aloud, you who have no labor pains; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband."28Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise.29At that time the son born in the ordinary way persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit. It is the same now.30But what does the Scripture say? "Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman's son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman's son."31Therefore, brothers, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman.
Luke
29As the crowds increased, Jesus said, "This is a wicked generation. It asks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.30For as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so also will the Son of Man be to this generation.31The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon's wisdom, and now one greater than Solomon is here.32The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now one greater than Jonah is here.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of freedom, faith, and response to God’s call. In the first reading from Galatians, St. Paul uses the allegory of Abraham’s two sons to contrast the old covenant, represented by Hagar and her son Ishmael, with the new covenant, represented by Sarah and her son Isaac. Paul emphasizes that we are children of the free woman, Sarah, and thus heirs of God’s promise. He urges us to stand firm in the freedom Christ has won for us and not to fall back into the slavery of sin or legalism. This passage reminds us that our identity as Christians is rooted in God’s grace and promise, not in our own efforts or observance of the law.
In the Gospel, Jesus addresses a crowd that seeks a sign, but he insists that no sign will be given except the sign of Jonah. This refers to Jonah’s preaching, which moved the people of Nineveh to repentance, and to Jesus’ own resurrection, which is the ultimate sign of God’s love and power. Jesus then contrasts the faith of the queen of the South and the people of Nineveh with the unbelief of his own generation. The queen traveled far to hear Solomon’s wisdom, and the Ninevites repented at Jonah’s preaching, while Jesus’ contemporaries, despite witnessing something far greater, remain indifferent. This passage challenges us to examine our own response to God’s Word and to ask whether we are open to the grace and truth that Jesus offers.
Together, these readings call us to live as free children of God, unencumbered by sin or doubt, and to respond wholeheartedly to the Good News. Just as the Ninevites repented at Jonah’s word, we too are invited to turn to God with humility and faith. Let us not let the distractions or hardness of heart of the world around us prevent us from embracing the freedom and joy that Christ offers. May we, like the queen of the South, seek wisdom and truth with perseverance, and may we, like the people of Nineveh, repent and turn to God with sincerity.