Bible Diary

Daily Reading

St John of Capistrano

LECTIONARY
477

FIRST READING

Eph 4:1-6

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

PSALM

Ps 24:1-2, 3-4ab, 5-6

Response: Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.

The LORD’s are the earth and its fullness;
the world and those who dwell in it.
For he founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the rivers.

Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD?
or who may stand in his holy place?
He whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean,
who desires not what is vain.

He shall receive a blessing from the LORD,
a reward from God his savior.
Such is the race that seeks for him,
that seeks the face of the God of Jacob.

GOSPEL

Lk 12:54-59

He also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, ‘A shower is coming.’ And so it happens. And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat,’ and it happens. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time? “And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? As you go with your accuser before the magistrate, make an effort to settle with him on the way, lest he drag you to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer put you in prison. I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the very last penny.”

Daily Reflection

Paul pleads with the Ephesians to lead a life worthy of their vocation, which among other things, consists in “preserving the unity of the Spirit”. This unity must be fostered by “bearing with one another charitably, in complete selflessness, gentleness and patience”. Although this may seem difficult, Paul highlights that this is made possible when we realign our focus to our calling through our Baptism. He mentions the word “one” seven times in a sentence to lay stress on the unifying effect of Baptism – one Body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism and one God and Father!

Jesus points out that just as we anticipate the change in season by recognising the signs in nature and make adjustments accordingly, so too, must we deal with others, by recognising the unifying Spirit of our Baptism within us.