Daily Readings - Wed Sep 21 2022
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.7But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.11It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,12to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Matthew
9As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow me," he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.10While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house, many tax collectors and "sinners" came and ate with him and his disciples.11When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?"12On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.13But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
Sermon
In today's readings, we are reminded of the profound call to live a life of unity and compassion. The first reading from Ephesians encourages us to embrace our diverse roles within the Church, fostering unity through humility and patience. It highlights that each of us has been gifted by God to contribute to the community's growth and perfection. The Gospel from Matthew illustrates Jesus' mission to reach out to sinners, emphasizing that His ministry is one of mercy and inclusion, not exclusion or judgment.
The context of Ephesians is a letter to the early Christian community, urging believers to live in harmony and recognize the unique gifts each person brings. This diversity strengthens the body of Christ, enabling it to function effectively. In Matthew, Jesus' encounter with Matthew, a tax collector, and His subsequent dining with sinners, challenges the Pharisees' rigid views, underscoring that His mission is to bring healing and mercy to those who need it most.
These readings connect through their emphasis on unity and outreach. Ephesians calls us to unity despite our differences, while Matthew shows Jesus actively seeking out those on the margins. Together, they teach us that the Church is a place of inclusion, where everyone has a role and is deserving of mercy.
In our daily lives, we are called to live with humility and patience, recognizing the gifts in others and ourselves. We should strive to create communities that welcome everyone, reflecting the inclusive love of Christ. Just as Jesus reached out to sinners, we too should extend compassion and understanding, rather than judgment, to those around us.
The moral lesson here is clear: our faith is not about isolation but about connection and mercy. We are all part of the body of Christ, each with a unique role, and we are called to live in unity and love. Let us reflect on how we can embody these values, embracing our diversity and reaching out with the same mercy and compassion that Jesus showed.