Daily Readings - Fri Nov 10 2017

First Reading - Romans 15.14-21

¹⁴But I am also certain about you, my brothers, that you also have been filled with love, completed with all knowledge, so that you are able to admonish one another¹⁵But I have written to you, brothers, more boldly than to the others, as if calling you to mind again, because of the grace which has been given to me from God¹⁶so that I may be a minister of Christ Jesus among the Gentiles, sanctifying the Gospel of God, in order that the oblation of the Gentiles may be made acceptable and may be sanctified in the Holy Spirit¹⁷Therefore, I have glory in Christ Jesus before God¹⁸So I dare not speak of any of those things which Christ does not effect through me, unto the obedience of the Gentiles, in word and deed¹⁹with the power of signs and wonders, by power of the Holy Spirit. For in this way, from Jerusalem, throughout its surroundings, as far as Illyricum, I have replenished the Gospel of Christ²⁰And so I have preached this Gospel, not where Christ was known by name, lest I build upon the foundation of another²¹but just as it was written: "Those to whom he was not announced shall perceive, and those who have not heard shall understand.

Gospel - Luke 16.1-8

Luke

Chapter 16

¹And he also said to his disciples: "A certain man was wealthy, and he had a steward of his estate. And this man was accused to him of having dissipated his goods²And he called him and said to him: ‘What is this that I hear about you? Give an account of your stewardship. For you can no longer be my steward.³And the steward said within himself: ‘What shall I do? For my lord is taking the stewardship away from me. I am not strong enough to dig. I am too ashamed to beg⁴I know what I will do so that, when I have been removed from the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.⁵And so, calling together each one of his lord’s debtors, he said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my lord?⁶So he said, ‘One hundred jars of oil.’ And he said to him, ‘Take your invoice, and quickly, sit down and write fifty.⁷Next, he said to another, ‘In truth, how much do you owe?’ And he said, ‘One hundred measures of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your record books, and write eighty.⁸And the lord praised the iniquitous steward, in that he had acted prudently. For the sons of this age are more prudent with their generation than are the sons of light

Sermon

In today's readings, we encounter two powerful lessons on responsibility and wisdom. The first reading from Romans highlights Paul's dedication to his mission, spreading the Gospel to the Gentiles with grace and commitment. He emphasizes not building on others' foundations, underscoring the importance of originality and sincerity in our callings. The Gospel, however, presents a more complex scenario through the parable of the unjust steward. This steward, faced with losing his position, cleverly reduces the debts of others to secure their favor, earning praise from his master for his prudence, despite his moral failings. The context of these readings is rooted in their historical settings. Paul's letter to the Romans is a testament to the early Christian mission, focusing on the responsibility of spreading the Word. The parable in Luke uses a relatable scenario to teach about wisdom and resource management, highlighting the contrast between worldly prudence and spiritual integrity. Both readings emphasize the theme of stewardship—whether of spiritual responsibilities or material resources. Applying these lessons to our daily lives, we are reminded to be prudent stewards of our talents and resources. Like Paul, we should embrace our unique callings with dedication and integrity. The parable encourages us to think strategically about how we use our resources, not just for immediate gains but for eternal benefits. However, it also cautions us to maintain moral integrity, ensuring that our prudence is guided by ethical principles. The moral lesson here is clear: wisdom and responsibility go hand in hand. We must manage our resources and talents with foresight, using them to build a legacy that aligns with our values. Let us strive to be wise stewards, not just in our actions but in our character, ensuring that our prudence serves a higher purpose. In doing so, we honor our responsibilities and contribute to a greater good, both in this life and the next.