Daily Readings - Mon Oct 14 2024
Galatians
22For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman.23His son by the slave woman was born in the ordinary way; but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a promise.24These things may be taken figuratively, for the women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar.25Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children.26But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother.27For it is written: "Be glad, O barren woman, who bears no children; break forth and cry aloud, you who have no labor pains; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband."28Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise.29At that time the son born in the ordinary way persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit. It is the same now.30But what does the Scripture say? "Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman's son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman's son."31Therefore, brothers, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman.
Luke
29As the crowds increased, Jesus said, "This is a wicked generation. It asks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.30For as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so also will the Son of Man be to this generation.31The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon's wisdom, and now one greater than Solomon is here.32The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now one greater than Jonah is here.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of freedom, faith, and repentance. In the first reading from Galatians, St. Paul uses the allegory of Abraham’s two sons to contrast the slavery of sin and the freedom of life in Christ. Hagar, the servant woman, represents the old covenant, bound by the law and human effort, while Sarah, the free woman, symbolizes the new covenant, born of God’s promise and grace. Paul reminds us that we are not children of the slave woman but of the free, and we must stand firm in the liberty Christ has won for us. The Gospel from Luke complements this by emphasizing the call to repentance and trust in God’s presence. Jesus criticizes the generation that seeks signs, pointing to Jonah as a sign of conversion and the Queen of the South as a model of seeking wisdom. He warns that those who do not repent will be condemned, while those who listen to his words have already been given more than enough to believe.
The connection between the readings lies in their call to live in the freedom and grace of God. Galatians reminds us that true freedom is not about external observances but about living in the Spirit, unshackled from sin and self-reliance. Luke’s Gospel, on the other hand, challenges us to respond to God’s mercy with humility and openness. Both readings encourage us to move beyond superficial faith and to embrace a deeper conversion of heart. This means letting go of our attachment to sin and worldly securities, trusting instead in God’s promises and living as children of the free woman, Sarah.
In our daily lives, these readings call us to examine how we live out our faith. Are we still trying to earn God’s favor through our own efforts, or are we resting in the freedom of His grace? Do we seek signs and proofs, or do we trust in His presence and Word? The moral lesson is clear: we are called to live as people of faith, repentance, and trust. Let us not be content with a shallow spirituality but instead allow the Spirit to transform us, so that we may bear fruit in our lives and witness to the freedom and love of Christ.