Daily Readings - Sat Oct 22 2022
Ephesians
7But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.8This is why it says: "When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men."9(What does "he ascended" mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions?10He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)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.14Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.15Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.16From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
Luke
1Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices.2Jesus answered, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way?3I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.4Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them--do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem?5I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish."6Then he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any.7So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, 'For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?'8"'Sir,' the man replied, 'leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it and fertilize it.9If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.'"
Sermon
In today's readings, we hear from Ephesians and Luke, both of which offer profound insights into our spiritual journey. The Ephesians passage emphasizes the gifts given by Christ to each of us, fostering unity and growth within the body of Christ. It reminds us that our diverse roles are meant to build up the church and bring us closer to Christ. In Luke, Jesus uses the parable of the fig tree to illustrate God's patience, urging us to repent and bear spiritual fruit, while acknowledging the time and care needed for growth.
These readings connect through themes of growth and responsibility. Ephesians highlights the importance of unity and using our gifts to serve others, while Luke's parable underscores the patience and nurturing required for spiritual growth. Together, they remind us that our faith is both a gift and a call to action, requiring us to tend to our spiritual lives and support one another in our journey towards Christ.
Applying this to our daily lives, we are called to use our talents wisely and be patient with ourselves and others. We must recognize the value of community and the role each person plays in the larger body of Christ. The moral lesson here is the balance between patience and accountability, encouraging us to strive for spiritual growth while embracing the unity and diversity of our faith. Let us serve others with our gifts and work together for the common good, ever mindful of God's patience and our responsibility to bear fruit in our lives.