Daily Readings - Wed Oct 16 2024
Galatians
18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.19The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Luke
42"Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone.43"Woe to you Pharisees, because you love the most important seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces.44"Woe to you, because you are like unmarked graves, which men walk over without knowing it."45One of the experts in the law answered him, "Teacher, when you say these things, you insult us also."46Jesus replied, "And you experts in the law, woe to you, because you load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them.
Sermon
In today's readings, we are presented with a profound contrast between living a life guided by the Holy Spirit and one dominated by worldly desires and hypocrisy. The first reading from Galatians highlights the struggle between the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit. Paul reminds us that when we allow the Spirit to lead us, we are no longer bound by the law, but instead, we cultivate virtues such as charity, joy, and peace. These fruits are not just abstract concepts but tangible expressions of a life transformed by grace.
The Gospel from Luke offers a complementary message as Jesus critiques the Pharisees for their outward piety, which masks their inner neglect of justice and love. The Pharisees meticulously observe rituals like tithing, yet they fail to embody the essence of God’s commandments—love and compassion. Jesus’ words serve as a warning against hypocrisy, urging us to examine our own hearts and actions. Like the Pharisees, we often focus on what others see, forgetting that true faith is about living authentically from the inside out.
These readings invite us to reflect on our own lives. Are we more concerned with appearances, or are we genuinely striving to live according to the Spirit? Let us ask ourselves: Do our actions reflect love, patience, and kindness, or are we caught up in self-interest and superficiality? The moral lesson is clear: True faith is not about external rituals or seeking praise, but about cultivating a heart that overflows with the fruit of the Spirit. Let us pray for the grace to live authentically, guided by the Spirit, and to embody the love and humility that Jesus calls us to.