Daily Readings - Tue Oct 17 2023

¹⁶I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.¹⁷For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."¹⁸The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness,¹⁹since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.²⁰For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.²¹For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.²²Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools²³and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.²⁴Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another.²⁵They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator--who is forever praised. Amen.

Luke

Chapter 11

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

In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful reflections on the human condition and our relationship with God. The first reading from Romans reminds us of the transformative power of the Gospel, which reveals the justice of God and calls us to live by faith. Yet, it also warns us about the consequences of turning away from God, as humanity often exchanges the truth for lies and worships creation rather than the Creator. This passage invites us to examine our own hearts and consider whether we are living in accordance with the divine truth revealed to us. The Gospel from Luke complements this message by highlighting the tension between external appearances and internal purity. Jesus critiques the Pharisee for focusing on outward cleanliness while neglecting the inner corruption of greed and injustice. He calls us to recognize that true purity comes not from rituals but from a heart that seeks justice and compassion. This teaching challenges us to look beyond superficial piety and instead cultivate a life of integrity, where our actions reflect the love and mercy of God. Together, these readings remind us that faith is not just about what we profess but how we live. The Gospel has the power to transform us, but this transformation must begin within. Let us ask ourselves: Are we more concerned with appearances, or are we striving to live with hearts that are pure, just, and faithful? May we turn to God with humility, acknowledging our need for grace, and may our lives bear witness to the truth and love of Christ in a world that so desperately needs it.