Daily Readings - Fri Oct 30 2020

¹Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:²Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.³I thank my God every time I remember you.⁴In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy⁵because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now,⁶being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.⁷It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me.⁸God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.⁹And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,¹⁰so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ,¹¹filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ--to the glory and praise of God.

Luke

Chapter 14

¹One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully watched.²There in front of him was a man suffering from dropsy.³Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in the law, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?"⁴But they remained silent. So taking hold of the man, he healed him and sent him away.⁵Then he asked them, "If one of you has a son or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day, will you not immediately pull him out?"⁶And they had nothing to say.

Sermon

In today's readings, we encounter two powerful messages that guide us in living out our faith. The first reading from Philippians expresses Paul's deep gratitude and confidence in the Philippians' commitment to the Gospel. Despite his imprisonment, Paul rejoices in their partnership and prays for their continued growth in love and understanding. This epistle, written during Paul's confinement, reflects his unwavering trust in God's plan and his affection for the community he nurtured. The Gospel from Luke presents a vivid scene where Jesus heals a man with edema on the Sabbath, challenging the Pharisees' strict legalism. Jesus' compassionate act underscores the importance of love and mercy over rigid adherence to rules. This encounter highlights Jesus' mission to bring wholeness and His willingness to confront traditions that hinder genuine human connection. Both readings converge on the theme of prioritizing love and compassion. Paul's letter illustrates the transformative power of faith and community, while Jesus' healing emphasizes that true service to God involves caring for others, even when it challenges conventions. As we reflect on these passages, we are reminded to trust in God's work within us and to act with compassion, ensuring our actions reflect the love and freedom found in Christ. Let us embrace a faith that is not bound by rules but flourishes through love and service.