Daily Readings - Thu Oct 14 2021
Romans
21But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.22This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference,23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,24and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.25God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished--26he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.27Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of observing the law? No, but on that of faith.28For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.29Is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too,30since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith.
Luke
47"Woe to you, because you build tombs for the prophets, and it was your forefathers who killed them.48So you testify that you approve of what your forefathers did; they killed the prophets, and you build their tombs.49Because of this, God in his wisdom said, 'I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and others they will persecute.'50Therefore this generation will be held responsible for the blood of all the prophets that has been shed since the beginning of the world,51from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, this generation will be held responsible for it all.52"Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering."53When Jesus left there, the Pharisees and the teachers of the law began to oppose him fiercely and to besiege him with questions,54waiting to catch him in something he might say.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter profound reflections on justice, faith, and hypocrisy. The first reading from Romans emphasizes God’s justice, which is revealed through faith in Jesus Christ. Paul explains that this justice is available to all—Jews and Gentiles alike—because all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. Through Christ’s sacrifice, we are justified freely by God’s grace, and no one can boast of their own works. This passage reminds us that salvation is not earned but is a gift from God, and it calls us to humility and trust in His mercy.
The Gospel from Luke presents a stark contrast to this message of grace. Jesus denounces the Pharisees and scholars of the law for their hypocrisy. They honor the prophets with tombs but reject the message of the prophets, just as their ancestors did. Jesus points out that they have failed to live according to the teachings they claim to uphold. Even worse, they prevent others from entering into the kingdom of God by withholding the “key of knowledge.” This critique is not just about the Pharisees of Jesus’ time; it challenges us today to examine whether our actions align with our faith and whether we are truly living as disciples of Christ.
These readings remind us that faith without works is dead, but works without faith are empty. True justice and righteousness come from a heart that is humble, repentant, and open to God’s grace. As we reflect on these passages, let us ask ourselves: Are we living authentically as followers of Christ? Do our words and actions reflect the love and mercy of God? Let us strive to be people of integrity, who not only hear the Word of God but also live it out in our daily lives. In doing so, we can truly be instruments of God’s justice and love in the world.