Daily Readings - Fri Oct 28 2022
Ephesians
19Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household,20built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.21In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.22And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
Luke
12One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.13When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles:14Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew,15Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot,16Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.17He went down with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of his disciples was there and a great number of people from all over Judea, from Jerusalem, and from the coast of Tyre and Sidon,18who had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. Those troubled by evil spirits were cured,19and the people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all.
Sermon
The readings today remind us of our identity as followers of Christ and the mission we are called to undertake. In the first reading from Ephesians, we hear that we are no longer strangers or outsiders but are now citizens in God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ as the cornerstone. This passage emphasizes our unity and belonging in the Body of Christ, where each of us plays a vital role in the structure of God’s holy temple. In the Gospel, Luke describes Jesus choosing the Twelve Apostles and then descending to a level place to preach and heal the multitudes. This scene highlights Jesus’ compassion and His mission to bring healing and hope to all people.
The connection between these readings lies in their emphasis on community and mission. In Ephesians, we are reminded that we are part of a larger family, the household of God, built on the foundation of faith and testimony. In Luke, we see Jesus forming a community of disciples and extending His mission of healing and teaching to the world. Together, these readings call us to recognize our place within the Church and to participate in Christ’s work of love and redemption.
As we reflect on these passages, let us ask ourselves: How do we live out our identity as members of God’s household? Do we see ourselves as part of a larger community, or do we isolate ourselves? The Gospel shows us that Jesus did not remain on the mountain praying; He came down to the people, healing and teaching them. Similarly, we are called to move beyond our own comfort zones and share the love and hope of Christ with others. Let us strive to be like the Apostles, who were chosen not for their own sake but to serve the mission of Christ. May we, too, be instruments of healing and grace in the world, living out our faith with compassion and generosity.