Daily Readings - Sat Oct 26 2024

Ephesians

7But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.8This is why it says: "When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men."9(What does "he ascended" mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions?10He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)11It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,12to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.14Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.15Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.16From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Luke

1Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices.2Jesus answered, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way?3I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.4Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them--do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem?5I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish."6Then he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any.7So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, 'For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?'8"'Sir,' the man replied, 'leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it and fertilize it.9If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.'"

Sermon

The readings today invite us to reflect on the gifts we have been given and the call to bear fruit in our lives. In the first reading from Ephesians, St. Paul reminds us that each of us has been given grace "according to the measure allotted by Christ." This grace is not for our own benefit alone but for the "perfection of the saints" and the "edification of the body of Christ." Paul emphasizes that we are all part of the same body, united in faith and called to grow together in the knowledge of the Son of God. He warns against being "tossed by every wind of doctrine" and instead urges us to "act according to truth in charity," growing in unity and love. In the Gospel, Jesus tells a parable about a fig tree that fails to bear fruit. The owner of the vineyard is ready to cut it down, but the cultivator pleads for one more year, promising to care for it and fertilize it, hoping it will bear fruit. This parable is a call to repentance and spiritual fruitfulness. Jesus is reminding us that we are given time and grace to grow, but we must not take these gifts for granted. Like the fig tree, we are called to produce fruit in our lives—fruit that comes from living in accordance with God’s will and sharing His love with others. Together, these readings remind us that grace is a gift, but it requires our response. We are called to use the gifts we have been given to build up the body of Christ and to live in a way that reflects our faith. Like the fig tree, we are given time to grow, but we must not become complacent. Let us ask ourselves: Am I using the gifts God has given me to serve others and to grow in holiness? Am I bearing fruit in my life through love, kindness, and service? Let us repent of any shortcomings and turn to God with renewed commitment, trusting in His mercy and patience. May we grow in unity and love, bearing fruit that reflects the fullness of Christ in our lives.