Daily Readings - Sat Nov 17 2018
3 John
5Most beloved, you should act faithfully in whatever you do for the brothers, and those who are sojourners6they have given testimony to your charity in the sight of the Church. You would do well to lead these ones worthily to God7For they set out, on behalf of his name, accepting nothing from the unbelievers8Therefore, we must accept such as these, in order that we may cooperate with the truth
Luke
1Now he also told them a parable, that we should continually pray and not cease2saying: "There was a certain judge in a certain city, who did not fear God and did not respect man3But there was a certain widow in that city, and she went to him, saying, ‘Vindicate me from my adversary.4And he refused to do so for a long time. But afterwards, he said within himself: ‘Even though I do not fear God, nor respect man5yet because this widow is pestering me, I will vindicate her, lest by returning, she may, in the end, wear me out.’ 6Then the Lord said: "Listen to what the unjust judge said7So then, will not God grant the vindication of his elect, who cry out to him day and night? Or will he continue to endure them8I tell you that he will quickly bring vindication to them. Yet truly, when the Son of man returns, do you think that he will find faith on earth?
Sermon
In today's readings, we are reminded of the power of faithfulness and persistence. The first reading from 3 John encourages us to act faithfully by supporting one another, especially those who serve in God's name. This letter emphasizes the importance of hospitality and mutual aid within the early Christian community, highlighting how our actions reflect our commitment to God. The Gospel from Luke presents the parable of the persistent widow, teaching us about the necessity of continuous prayer and trust in God's justice.
The context of these readings is rooted in the early Christian experience. John's letter addresses a community that relied on each other for support, especially missionaries who traveled to spread the Gospel. Luke's parable, set in a time when Jesus was preparing his disciples for his departure, underscores the importance of perseverance in prayer, even when faced with challenges or delays. Both readings stress the importance of living out our faith through consistent actions and unwavering trust in God.
These readings are closely connected, as they both emphasize faithfulness and persistence. In 3 John, faithfulness is demonstrated through tangible acts of love and support for others. In Luke's parable, persistence in prayer mirrors the widow's relentless pursuit of justice. Together, they call us to live out our faith in both action and prayer, trusting that God hears us and will act in His time.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to reflect on how we embody faithfulness and persistence. Do we support one another with the same generosity and hospitality that John commends? Do we pray with the same relentless trust as the widow, even when our prayers seem unanswered? Let us strive to live with such faithfulness, knowing that our actions and prayers are not in vain.
As we reflect on these readings, let us remember that our faith is not passive but active. It calls us to care for others and to pray without ceasing, trusting that God will bring justice and vindication. May we, like the widow, persist in prayer and, like the early Christians, support one another in love and faith. In doing so, we live out the truth of the Gospel and bear witness to God's presence in our world.