Daily Readings - Sat Sep 16 2017

First Reading - 1 Timothy 1.15-17

¹⁵It is a faithful saying, and worthy of acceptance by everyone, that Christ Jesus came into this world to bring salvation to sinners, among whom I am first¹⁶But it was for this reason that I obtained mercy, so that in me as first, Christ Jesus would display all patience, for the instruction of those who would believe in him unto eternal life¹⁷So then, to the King of ages, to the immortal, invisible, solitary God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen

Gospel - Luke 6.43-49

Luke

Chapter 6

⁴³For there is no good tree which produces bad fruit, nor does an evil tree produce good fruit⁴⁴For each and every tree is known by its fruit. For they do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather the grape from the bramble bush⁴⁵A good man, from the good storehouse of his heart, offers what is good. And an evil man, from the evil storehouse, offers what is evil. For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks⁴⁶But why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I say⁴⁷Anyone who comes to me, and listens to my words, and does them: I will reveal to you what he is like⁴⁸He is like a man building a house, who has dug deep and has laid the foundation upon the rock. Then, when the floodwaters came, the river was rushing against that house, and it was not able to move it. For it was founded upon the rock⁴⁹But whoever hears and does not do: he is like a man building his house upon the soil, without a foundation. The river rushed against it, and it soon fell down, and the ruin of that house was great.

Sermon

The readings today invite us to reflect on the transformative power of God's mercy and the call to live out our faith authentically. In the first reading from 1 Timothy, Paul humbly acknowledges himself as the foremost of sinners, yet he testifies to the boundless mercy of Christ, who came to save even him. This mercy, Paul emphasizes, is not just a personal gift but a call to patience and instruction for others, revealing the universal offer of salvation. The Gospel from Luke complements this message with Jesus' parable of the tree and its fruit, underscoring that the quality of the fruit reveals the nature of the tree. Jesus then illustrates the importance of acting on His teachings through the parable of the house built on rock versus sand. This teaching emphasizes that true discipleship is not merely about hearing the word but about living it out, ensuring that our actions reflect our faith. These readings remind us that faith and mercy are not static; they must be lived out dynamically. In our daily lives, we are called to be mindful of how our actions reflect our beliefs. Let us ask ourselves: Do we merely hear the word, or do we allow it to transform our lives? The moral lesson is clear—integrity between belief and action is essential. As we navigate our lives, may we build our spiritual houses on the rock of Christ's teachings, ensuring that our faith is not just proclaimed but lived out in love and service.