Daily Readings - Tue Oct 15 2024
Galatians
1It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.2Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all.3Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law.4You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.5But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope.6For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
Luke
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 explore the themes of freedom and inner righteousness. The first reading from Galatians 5:1-6, Paul emphasizes the freedom we have in Christ, cautioning against returning to the constraints of the law. He argues that relying on works, such as circumcision, for justification diminishes the grace of Christ. True justification, Paul asserts, comes through faith and the Spirit, urging us to stand firm in this freedom.
The Gospel from Luke 11:37-41 complements this message as Jesus critiques the Pharisees for their focus on external purity. When a Pharisee questions Jesus' lack of washing before eating, Jesus points out their hypocrisy—cleaning the outside of the cup while neglecting the inner greed and wickedness. He advises giving from within, suggesting that inner purity is what truly matters.
Both readings highlight the importance of inner transformation over external practices. Paul warns against legalism, while Jesus condemns superficial piety. Together, they remind us that genuine faith is about the heart, not outward appearances. In our daily lives, this means focusing on love and integrity rather than external rituals. The moral lesson is clear: true faith transforms from within, leading us to live with authenticity and compassion.