Daily Readings - Fri Sep 13 2019
1 Timothy
1Paul, an Apostle of Jesus Christ by the authority of God our Savior and Christ Jesus our hope2to Timothy, beloved son in the faith. Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and from Christ Jesus our Lord12I give thanks to him who has strengthened me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he has considered me faithful, placing me in the ministry13though previously I was a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and contemptuous. But then I obtained the mercy of God. For I had been acting ignorantly, in unbelief14And so the grace of our Lord has abounded greatly, with the faith and love that is in Christ Jesus
Luke
39Now he told them another comparison: "How can the blind lead the blind? Would they not both fall into a pit40The disciple is not above his teacher. But each one will be perfected, if he is like his teacher41And why do you see the straw that is in your brother’s eye, while the log that is in your own eye, you do not consider42Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, allow me to remove the straw from your eye,’ while you yourself do not see the log in your own eye? Hypocrite, first remove the log from your own eye, and then will you see clearly, so that you may lead out the straw from your brother’s eye
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful messages about grace, humility, and the importance of self-reflection. The first reading from 1 Timothy reveals Paul’s deep gratitude for the mercy he has received despite his past sins. Once a blasphemer and persecutor, Paul humbly acknowledges that God’s grace transformed his life, enabling him to become a minister of the Gospel. This passage reminds us that none of us are beyond God’s mercy and that our past does not define us when we turn to Him in faith.
The Gospel from Luke complements this message with Jesus’ teachings on hypocrisy and true leadership. Jesus warns against the dangers of judging others while ignoring our own faults, using the vivid image of a plank in one’s own eye. He emphasizes that we must first examine and correct ourselves before attempting to guide or correct others. This teaching calls us to humility and self-awareness, urging us to lead by example rather than by empty words.
Together, these readings invite us to reflect on our own lives. Like Paul, we are called to acknowledge our shortcomings and trust in God’s mercy. Like the disciples in the Gospel, we are challenged to lead with integrity, ensuring that our actions align with our words. In our daily lives, this means cultivating humility, seeking self-reflection, and embracing the grace that transforms us. Let us strive to be people of genuine faith, living in such a way that others may see the love of Christ shining through us.