Daily Readings - Mon Oct 30 2023
Romans
11And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.12Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation--but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it.13For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live,14because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.15For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father."16The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.17Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Luke
10On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues,11and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all.12When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, "Woman, you are set free from your infirmity."13Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God.14Indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, the synagogue ruler said to the people, "There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath."15The Lord answered him, "You hypocrites! Doesn't each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water?16Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?"17When he said this, all his opponents were humiliated, but the people were delighted with all the wonderful things he was doing.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful messages about freedom and compassion. The first reading from Romans reminds us that through the Holy Spirit, we are freed from the bondage of sin and death, becoming children of God. This Spirit not only gives us life but also calls us to live in a way that reflects our divine adoption, sharing in Christ's sufferings and glory. The Gospel from Luke illustrates this freedom through Jesus' healing of a woman on the Sabbath, challenging the legalistic views of the synagogue ruler. Jesus emphasizes that compassion should not be confined by rules, highlighting the importance of mercy over rigid adherence to law.
Both readings emphasize living in the Spirit and expressing compassion. In Romans, Paul contrasts flesh and Spirit, urging believers to choose a Spirit-led life. Similarly, Luke's Gospel shows Jesus freeing someone from physical and spiritual bondage, demonstrating that true freedom involves compassion. This connection invites us to reflect on how we live out our faith—whether we prioritize love and mercy or get entangled in legalism.
In our daily lives, let us embrace the freedom offered by the Holy Spirit, choosing to live compassionately. Just as Jesus healed on the Sabbath, we should not let rules hinder our ability to show love. Let us remember that true freedom in Christ means serving others with mercy and kindness, reflecting the transformative power of the Spirit. May we, as children of God, live with hearts open to His will, prioritizing love and compassion in all we do.