Daily Readings - Fri Oct 23 2020
Ephesians
1As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.2Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.3Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.4There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to one hope when you were called--5one Lord, one faith, one baptism;6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
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
In today's readings, we are presented with two powerful messages that guide us in our spiritual journey. The First Reading from Ephesians 4:1-6 encourages us to live with humility, meekness, and patience, striving for unity in the Spirit. It reminds us that we are one body in Christ, called to maintain harmony within our community. The Gospel from Luke 12:54-59 challenges us to discern the signs of the times and to settle our conflicts promptly, warning us against hypocrisy and the consequences of failing to do so.
The context of Ephesians is a letter to the early Christian community, urging them to live in a manner worthy of their faith, emphasizing unity and the oneness of the body of Christ. Luke's passage is part of Jesus' teachings, preparing his disciples to be vigilant and discerning, urging them to resolve conflicts before it's too late. Both readings, while different in focus, share a common theme of spiritual awareness and harmonious living.
Applying these teachings to our daily lives, we are called to embrace humility and patience in our interactions, working towards unity in our communities. We must also be discerning, recognizing the need to live according to God's will and to resolve conflicts swiftly. The moral lesson here is the importance of living in harmony with others and being spiritually proactive. As we reflect on these readings, let us strive to embody these values, ensuring our actions reflect our faith and our commitment to living as one in Christ.