Daily Readings - Fri Nov 03 2023
Romans
1I speak the truth in Christ--I am not lying, my conscience confirms it in the Holy Spirit--2I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.3For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race,4the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises.5Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen.
Luke
1One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully watched.2There in front of him was a man suffering from dropsy.3Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in the law, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?"4But they remained silent. So taking hold of the man, he healed him and sent him away.5Then he asked them, "If one of you has a son or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day, will you not immediately pull him out?"6And they had nothing to say.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound reflections on compassion and the heart of God's law. The first reading from Romans reveals Paul's deep sorrow for his Jewish brothers who have not yet embraced Christ. His willingness to be cut off from Christ for their sake underscores his immense love and solidarity with his people. This passage is part of Paul's broader discussion on the relationship between Jews and Gentiles in God's plan, highlighting his emotional and spiritual investment in their salvation.
The Gospel from Luke presents Jesus healing a man with edema on the Sabbath, challenging the Pharisees' strict interpretation of the law. Jesus' actions emphasize that compassion should not be confined by rules, teaching us to prioritize love and mercy. This healing is set during a meal at a Pharisee's house, a context that highlights Jesus' mission to redefine the law's purpose as an instrument of love rather than control.
Both readings converge on the theme of balancing law with compassion. Paul's anguish and Jesus' healing illustrate that true faith requires us to go beyond mere rule-following. In our daily lives, we face situations where strict adherence to rules might hinder acts of love. These readings encourage us to embrace compassion, understanding that love and mercy are at the core of God's will. Let us strive to live with hearts open to others, reflecting the love of Christ in all we do.