Daily Readings - Fri Oct 27 2017

First Reading - Romans 7.18-25a

¹⁸For I know that what is good does not live within me, that is, within my flesh. For the willingness to do good lies close to me, but the carrying out of that good, I cannot reach¹⁹For I do not do the good that I want to do. But instead, I do the evil that I do not want to do²⁰Now if I do what I am not willing to do, it is no longer I who am doing it, but the sin which lives within me²¹And so, I discover the law, by wanting to do good within myself, though evil lies close beside me²²For I am delighted with the law of God, according to the inner man²³But I perceive another law within my body, fighting against the law of my mind, and captivating me with the law of sin which is in my body²⁴Unhappy man that I am, who will free me from this body of death²⁵The grace of God, by Jesus Christ our Lord! Therefore, I serve the law of God with my own mind; but with the flesh, the law of sin

Gospel - Luke 12.54-59

Luke

Chapter 12

⁵⁴And he also said to the crowds: "When you see a cloud rising from the setting of the sun, immediately you say, ‘A rain cloud is coming.’ And so it does⁵⁵And when a south wind is blowing, you say, ‘It will be hot.’ And so it is⁵⁶You hypocrites! You discern the face of the heavens, and of the earth, yet how is it that you do not discern this time⁵⁷And why do you not, even among yourselves, judge what is just⁵⁸So, when you are going with your adversary to the ruler, while you are on the way, make an effort to be freed from him, lest perhaps he may lead you to the judge, and the judge may deliver you to the officer, and the officer may cast you into prison⁵⁹I tell you, you will not depart from there, until you have paid the very last coin.

Sermon

In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful reflections on the human condition and our relationship with God. The first reading from Romans and the Gospel from Luke both invite us to examine our inner lives and our external actions, urging us to seek grace and live with spiritual urgency. Paul’s letter to the Romans paints a vivid picture of the internal struggle we all face. He describes the tension between our desire to do good and the pull of sin, acknowledging that even when we want to act rightly, we often fall short. This struggle is deeply personal, a war within ourselves where our flesh and spirit are in conflict. Yet, Paul does not leave us in despair. He points us to the grace of God through Jesus Christ, reminding us that our liberation from this inner turmoil comes not from our own efforts, but from God’s mercy and love. In the Gospel, Jesus challenges us to discern the signs of the times and to live with urgency. Just as we can predict the weather by observing the sky, Jesus calls us to recognize the spiritual realities that surround us. He warns us against hypocrisy and complacency, urging us to settle our disputes and seek reconciliation before it is too late. The image of being thrown into prison until we have paid the last coin is a stark reminder of the consequences of neglecting our spiritual lives. Both readings, though different in tone and focus, point us to the same truth: we are in need of God’s grace, and we must live with intentionality and urgency. Paul’s struggle reminds us that we cannot overcome sin on our own, while Jesus’ words call us to be attentive to God’s will and to act with integrity. Together, they invite us to a life of humility, self-awareness, and trust in God’s providence. As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: Where am I struggling with sin? How can I seek God’s grace more deeply? Am I attentive to the spiritual signs around me? Let us pray for the courage to acknowledge our weaknesses and for the wisdom to live in accordance with God’s will. May we trust in His grace to free us from the prison of sin and to guide us on the path of righteousness.