First Reading - Romans 4:1-8
Gospel - Luke 12:1-7
The first reading recounts justification or salvation as a gift from God. Paul places work and faith parallel to explain the importance of obedience of faith. He cites the example of Abraham to show that Abraham was considered righteous not because of his work but because of his faith. Consequently, we are judged righteous before God because of our faith in Christ rather than our work (work for Paul here refers to the observance of the law of circumcision). Paul also argues that if we were considered righteous on the basis of our works which would mean salvation could have been the result of our merits rather than grace of God. However, it's not so but vice versa. It's God in His grace remits us of our sins and cleanses us, provided we respond to Him in faith.
The pericope of the gospel of today is filled with warning, encouragement and assurance. The warning of Jesus to his disciples is directed against the "leaven of the Pharisees" which refers to their hostile nature in the sense of hypocrisy. They apparently seem pious and devout but inside their heart they are filled with evil. Jesus warns his disciples to not get trapped by their treachery and deception. On the other side, Jesus encourages his disciples to become witnesses of the good news. Jesus has taught them the message of God and is the responsibility of his disciples to reach them to others or make them known to others. However, this task is not going to be easy but replete with challenges and persecutions. Lastly, Jesus gives assurance to his disciples that they are valued by God. The persecutions can only destroy the body but not soul. It's God who is capable of destroying both body and soul. Jesus emboldens his disciples to not get frightened by challenges and persecutions but they should be afraid of their infidelity to God who can send us to eternal fire. However, more than punishment, this God ours cares for everyone.
Dear friends, we can achieve many things on our own accord but not everything. The salvation is a gift that we have received from God. This gift of salvation has to be responded in faith. As Paul, in the first reading mentions that gift of salvation is offered by God and can't be simply appropriated by our own human efforts by mere observance of laws or rituals but by God's grace. Just as Abraham sets an example the obedience of faith for us all so should be our response to God; the obedience of faith to appropriate this gift.
We are also responsible to share this gift of salvation in Jesus with others. Jesus invites every believer to be His witness of the good news of salvation. Jesus forwarns us that witnessing is not easy but fraught with challenges and difficulties but we are assured of God's protection and care for this work of ours.
May God make us humble to give Him obedience of faith and share the gift of salvation in Jesus with others.
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