Daily Readings - Tue Oct 11 2022
Galatians
1It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.2Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all.3Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law.4You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.5But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope.6For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
Luke
37When Jesus had finished speaking, a Pharisee invited him to eat with him; so he went in and reclined at the table.38But the Pharisee, noticing that Jesus did not first wash before the meal, was surprised.39Then the Lord said to him, "Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness.40You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also?41But give what is inside the dish to the poor, and everything will be clean for you.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of true freedom and purity. In Galatians, Paul warns against returning to the slavery of legalism, emphasizing that our justification comes through faith in Christ, not through outward practices like circumcision. He urges believers to stand firm in the liberty found in Christ, as attempting to justify oneself through the law leads to a fall from grace. This message underscores the sufficiency of faith working through love, rather than external rituals.
In the Gospel, Luke presents Jesus challenging the Pharisees' focus on external cleanliness. When a Pharisee questions Jesus for not washing before eating, Jesus responds by pointing out the hypocrisy of cleaning the outside while neglecting the inner purity of the heart. He calls them fools for missing the point that true cleanliness comes from within. Jesus teaches that giving alms and focusing on inner transformation is what truly makes one clean before God.
Together, these readings highlight the contrast between outward appearances and inward reality. Galatians emphasizes spiritual freedom through faith, while Luke stresses the importance of inner purity. Both remind us that true righteousness is not about external compliance but about living from a transformed heart. In our daily lives, this means prioritizing love and faith over mere rituals, ensuring our actions reflect inner spiritual growth. Let us strive to live in the freedom of Christ, with hearts cleansed by love and grace.