Daily Readings - Fri Oct 11 2024
Galatians
6Consider Abraham: "He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness."7Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham.8The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: "All nations will be blessed through you."9So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.10All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law."11Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, "The righteous will live by faith."12The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, "The man who does these things will live by them."13Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree."14He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
Luke
15But some of them said, "By Beelzebub, the prince of demons, he is driving out demons."16Others tested him by asking for a sign from heaven.17Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them: "Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall.18If Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? I say this because you claim that I drive out demons by Beelzebub.19Now if I drive out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your followers drive them out? So then, they will be your judges.20But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come to you.21"When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are safe.22But when someone stronger attacks and overpowers him, he takes away the armor in which the man trusted and divides up the spoils.23"He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me, scatters.24"When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, 'I will return to the house I left.'25When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order.26Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first."
Sermon
In today's readings, we explore themes of faith, justification, and spiritual warfare. The first reading from Galatians emphasizes that faith in God, as exemplified by Abraham, justifies us, not adherence to the law. Paul explains that through faith, Gentiles are included in God's promise to Abraham, and Christ's sacrifice redeems us from the law's curse. The second reading from Luke presents Jesus confronting accusations of using demonic power, where He illustrates the futility of a divided kingdom and the inevitability of the stronger man overcoming evil. He warns that an empty spiritual house invites worse evil, stressing the need for spiritual vigilance.
Both readings highlight the centrality of faith in our spiritual lives. Galatians underscores that our justification comes through faith, uniting believers across cultures and backgrounds. Luke's passage reminds us that faith is our armor in spiritual battles, protecting us from evil's influence. Together, they teach us to trust in God's power and grace, rather than our own efforts or strength.
In our daily lives, these readings call us to examine our spiritual state. We must ensure our hearts are filled with God's presence, cultivated through prayer and sacraments, to prevent the return of evil. By living in faith, we join Abraham and Christ in a spiritual lineage that transcends the law, embracing God's promise of eternal life. Let us strive to be strong in faith, knowing that true strength lies in God, and that without Him, we are vulnerable to spiritual decay.