Daily Readings - Mon Oct 10 2022
Galatians
22For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman.23His son by the slave woman was born in the ordinary way; but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a promise.24These things may be taken figuratively, for the women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar.25Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children.26But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother.27For it is written: "Be glad, O barren woman, who bears no children; break forth and cry aloud, you who have no labor pains; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband."28Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise.29At that time the son born in the ordinary way persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit. It is the same now.30But what does the Scripture say? "Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman's son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman's son."31Therefore, brothers, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman.
Luke
29As the crowds increased, Jesus said, "This is a wicked generation. It asks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.30For as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so also will the Son of Man be to this generation.31The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon's wisdom, and now one greater than Solomon is here.32The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now one greater than Jonah is here.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of freedom, faith, and the call to live as children of the promise. In the first reading from Galatians, St. Paul uses the allegory of Hagar and Sarah to contrast the two covenants: one of slavery and the other of freedom. Hagar represents the old covenant, tied to the law and human effort, while Sarah symbolizes the new covenant, born of God’s promise and grace. Paul reminds us that we are not children of the slave woman but of the free woman, and thus we should stand firm in the freedom Christ has won for us. This freedom is not a license to do as we please, but a call to live in the Spirit, unencumbered by the yoke of sin or legalism.
In the Gospel, Jesus speaks to the crowds about the sign of Jonah, emphasizing that true faith does not rely on external signs but on the transformative power of God’s word. The people of Nineveh repented at Jonah’s preaching, and the queen of the South came seeking wisdom. Jesus points out that something greater than Jonah and Solomon is here—himself—and yet many still refuse to repent. This challenges us to examine our own hearts: do we seek signs and excuses, or do we trust in God’s presence and grace?
These readings call us to live as people of faith, trusting in God’s promises rather than relying on our own strength or seeking external validation. True freedom comes from surrendering to God’s will and living in the Spirit. Let us not be content with mediocrity or complacency. Instead, let us embrace the freedom Christ offers, repent of our sins, and live as children of the promise, bearing fruit in love, joy, and service to others.