Daily Readings - Tue Sep 17 2019
1 Timothy
1It is a faithful saying: if a man desires the episcopate, he desires a good work2Therefore, it is necessary for a bishop to be beyond reproach, the husband of one wife, sober, prudent, gracious, chaste, hospitable, a teacher3not a drunkard, not combative but restrained, not quarrelsome, not covetous4but a man who leads his own house well, having children who are subordinate with all chastity5For if a man does not know how to lead his own house, how will he take care of the Church of God6He must not be a new convert, lest, being elated by pride, he may fall under the sentence of the devil7And it is necessary for him also to have good testimony from those who are outside, so that he may not fall into disrepute and the snare of the devil8Similarly, deacons must be chaste, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not pursuing tainted profit9holding to the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience10And these things should be proven first, and then they may minister, being without offense11Similarly, the women must be chaste, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things12Deacons should be the husband of one wife, men who lead their own children and their own houses well13For those who have ministered well will acquire for themselves a good position, and much confidence in the faith which is in Christ Jesus
Luke
11And it happened afterwards that he went to a city, which is called Nain. And his disciples, and an abundant crowd, went with him12Then, when he had drawn near to the gate of the city, behold, a deceased person was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her13And when the Lord had seen her, being moved by mercy over her, he said to her, "Do not weep.14And he drew near and touched the coffin. Then those who carried it stood still. And he said, "Young man, I say to you, arise.15And the dead youth sat up and began to speak. And he gave him to his mother16Then fear fell over all of them. And they magnified God, saying: "For a great prophet has risen up among us," and, "For God has visited his people.17And this word about him went out to all of Judea and to the entire surrounding region
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two profound reflections on service and compassion. The first reading from 1 Timothy outlines the qualities of leadership within the Church, emphasizing virtues such as integrity, hospitality, and self-control. These qualities are not just ideals for those in formal roles but serve as a blueprint for all Christians striving to live a life of faith and service. The Gospel, from Luke, presents a vivid scene of Jesus’ compassion as he raises the widow’s only son from the dead. This miracle not only demonstrates Jesus’ divine power but also reveals his deep empathy for those suffering loss and marginalization.
The connection between these readings lies in their focus on service and the transformative power of compassion. In 1 Timothy, the Church is called to be a community of servants, where leaders model lives of integrity and care for others. In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus embodies this servant-leadership by acting with mercy and restoring life to a grieving mother. Together, these readings remind us that our faith is not just about belief but about how we live out that belief in tangible ways.
As we reflect on these readings, let us consider how we can embody these virtues in our daily lives. Whether in our families, workplaces, or communities, we are called to lead with integrity and to serve others with compassion. Like Jesus, we may not be able to raise the dead, but we can bring hope and healing to those around us through small acts of kindness and love. Let us strive to be people of mercy and integrity, trusting that God will use our efforts to bring light and life to a world in need.