Daily Readings - Tue Nov 07 2017

First Reading - Romans 12.5-16a

⁵so also we, being many, are one body in Christ, and each one is a part, the one of the other⁶And we each have different gifts, according to the grace that has been given to us: whether prophecy, in agreement with the reasonableness of faith⁷or ministry, in ministering; or he who teaches, in doctrine⁸he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, in simplicity; he who governs, in solicitude; he who shows mercy, in cheerfulness⁹Let love be without falseness: hating evil, clinging to what is good¹⁰loving one another with fraternal charity, surpassing one another in honor¹¹in solicitude, not lazy; in spirit, fervent; serving the Lord¹²in hope, rejoicing; in tribulation, enduring; in prayer, ever-willing¹³in the difficulties of the saints, sharing; in hospitality, attentive¹⁴Bless those who are persecuting you: bless, and do not curse¹⁵Rejoice with those who are rejoicing. Weep with those who are weeping¹⁶Be of the same mind toward one another: not savoring what is exalted, but consenting in humility. Do not choose to seem wise to yourself

Gospel - Luke 14.15-24

Luke

Chapter 14

¹⁵When someone sitting at table with him had heard these things, he said to him, "Blessed is he who will eat bread in the kingdom of God.¹⁶So he said to him: "A certain man prepared a great feast, and he invited many¹⁷And he sent his servant, at the hour of the feast, to tell the invited to come; for now everything was ready¹⁸And at once they all began to make excuses. The first said to him: ‘I bought a farm, and I need to go out and see it. I ask you to excuse me.¹⁹And another said: ‘I bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to examine them. I ask you to excuse me.²⁰And another said, ‘I have taken a wife, and therefore I am not able to go.²¹And returning, the servant reported these things to his lord. Then the father of the family, becoming angry, said to his servant: ‘Go out quickly into the streets and neighborhoods of the city. And lead here the poor, and the disabled, and the blind, and the lame.²²And the servant said: ‘It has been done, just as you ordered, lord, and there is still room.²³And the lord said to the servant: ‘Go out to the highways and hedges, and compel them to enter, so that my house may be filled²⁴For I tell you, that none of those men who were invited will taste of my feast.’

Sermon

In today’s readings, we are reminded of the unity and diversity within the body of Christ, as well as the call to humility and openness to God’s invitation. The first reading from Romans emphasizes that we are all parts of one body in Christ, each with unique gifts and responsibilities. Paul urges us to use these gifts with sincerity and love, avoiding pretense and pride. The Gospel from Luke presents a parable about a great feast, where the invited guests make excuses and are replaced by the poor and marginalized. This parable highlights God’s desire to include all people, especially those often overlooked, in His kingdom. The readings connect in their focus on community and response to God’s call. In Romans, Paul calls us to live out our faith in harmony with one another, recognizing our interdependence and using our gifts for the common good. In Luke, Jesus teaches that the kingdom is not just for the privileged but for all, especially those who are often excluded. Together, these readings challenge us to examine how we respond to God’s invitation and how we treat others. Are we like the guests who make excuses, or are we willing to welcome and include those on the margins? As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: How am I using the gifts God has given me to serve others? Am I open to including those who feel excluded? Let us strive to live with humility, love, and generosity, recognizing that the kingdom of God is for all. May we embrace our role in the body of Christ and respond joyfully to God’s invitation, leaving no one behind.