Daily Readings - Wed Oct 23 2019
Romans
12Therefore, let not sin reign in your mortal body, such that you would obey its desires13Nor should you offer the parts of your body as instruments of iniquity for sin. Instead, offer yourselves to God, as if you were living after death, and offer the parts of your body as instruments of justice for God14For sin should not have dominion over you. For you are not under the law, but under grace15What is next? Should we sin because we are not under the law, but under grace? Let it not be so16Do you not know to whom you are offering yourselves as servants under obedience? You are the servants of whomever you obey: whether of sin, unto death, or of obedience, unto justice17But thanks be to God that, though you used to be the servants of sin, now you have been obedient from the heart to the very form of the doctrine into which you have been received18And having been freed from sin, we have become servants of justice
Luke
39But know this: that if the father of the family knew at what hour the thief would arrive, he would certainly stand watch, and he would not permit his house to be broken into40You also must be prepared. For the Son of man will return at an hour that you will not realize.41Then Peter said to him, "Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or also to everyone?42So the Lord said: "Who do you think is the faithful and prudent steward, whom his Lord has appointed over his family, in order to give them their measure of wheat in due time43Blessed is that servant if, when his Lord will return, he will find him acting in this manner44Truly I say to you, that he will appoint him over all that he possesses45But if that servant will have said in his heart, ‘My Lord has made a delay in his return,’ and if he has begun to strike the men and women servants, and to eat and drink, and to be inebriated46then the Lord of that servant will return on a day which he hoped not, and at an hour which he knew not. And he will separate him, and he will place his portion with that of the unfaithful47And that servant, who knew the will of his Lord, and who did not prepare and did not act according to his will, will be beaten many times over48Yet he who did not know, and who acted in a way that deserves a beating, will be beaten fewer times. So then, of all to whom much has been given, much will be required. And of those to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be asked
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the call to live as faithful stewards of God’s grace and to remain vigilant in our spiritual lives. In the first reading from Romans, St. Paul urges us to resist the reign of sin in our lives and instead offer ourselves to God as instruments of justice. He reminds us that we are not under the law but under grace, and this grace calls us to live in obedience to God’s will. The Gospel from Luke reinforces this message through the parable of the faithful steward. Jesus teaches that we must be prepared for the Lord’s return, living with integrity and fidelity in our responsibilities. The parable warns against complacency and the misuse of the gifts and talents entrusted to us, emphasizing that much will be required from those to whom much has been given.
Both readings are connected by the theme of accountability and stewardship. In Romans, Paul focuses on the personal dimension of living a life transformed by grace, while Luke’s parable broadens this to include our responsibilities toward others and the gifts we have received. Together, they remind us that our faith is not merely a private matter but a call to live in a way that reflects our commitment to God and to the well-being of those around us. The readings also highlight the importance of vigilance and preparedness, urging us to live each day with the awareness that we are called to give an account of our lives.
As we apply these readings to our daily lives, let us ask ourselves: How am I using the gifts and talents God has given me? Am I living in a way that reflects my obedience to God’s will, or am I allowing sin to take root in my life? The moral lesson here is clear: our lives are not our own, and we are called to be faithful stewards of all that God has entrusted to us. Let us strive to live with integrity, generosity, and a deep awareness of God’s presence in our lives. By doing so, we will not only fulfill our responsibilities but also grow in holiness and prepare ourselves for the day when we will stand before the Lord.