Daily Readings - Tue Oct 13 2020
Galatians
1It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.2Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all.3Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law.4You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.5But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope.6For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
Luke
37When Jesus had finished speaking, a Pharisee invited him to eat with him; so he went in and reclined at the table.38But the Pharisee, noticing that Jesus did not first wash before the meal, was surprised.39Then the Lord said to him, "Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness.40You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also?41But give what is inside the dish to the poor, and everything will be clean for you.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the relationship between external practices and the state of our hearts. In the first reading from Galatians, St. Paul emphasizes the freedom we have in Christ. He warns against the temptation to rely on external observances, such as circumcision, as a means of earning salvation. Paul makes it clear that our justification comes not from the law but from faith in Christ, which must be lived out in love. He cautions that if we turn back to the law, we risk losing the grace of Christ and the hope of true freedom.
In the Gospel, Luke presents a similar theme through the encounter between Jesus and the Pharisee. The Pharisee is concerned with outward purity, criticizing Jesus for not washing before eating. Jesus responds by pointing out the hypocrisy of focusing on external cleanliness while neglecting the inner purity of the heart. He calls them "fools" because they fail to see that true cleanliness comes from within. Jesus then offers a practical solution: "Give alms, and behold, all things are clean for you." This teaches us that our actions—especially acts of charity—reflect the state of our hearts and are essential for living a life pleasing to God.
These readings remind us that our faith must not stop at external rituals or practices. While such customs can have value, they are meaningless if they do not flow from a heart transformed by Christ. St. Paul urges us to stand firm in the freedom of the Gospel, trusting in God’s grace rather than our own efforts. Jesus, in turn, calls us to examine our priorities and to ensure that our outward actions reflect an inner commitment to love and justice. Let us ask ourselves: Are we focused on the external appearances of faith, or are we allowing Christ to transform our hearts? True freedom and purity come from living out our faith in love and charity, trusting in God’s grace to guide us.