Daily Readings - Mon Nov 11 2019

¹Love justice, you who judge the land. Think of the Lord in goodness and seek him in simplicity of heart²For he is found by those who do not test him, yet he reveals himself to those who have faith in him³For perverse thoughts separate from God. But his virtue, when it is tested, corrects the foolish⁴For wisdom will not enter into a malicious soul, nor dwell in a body subdued by sin⁵For the holy spirit of instruction will flee from falsehood, and he will withdraw himself from thoughts that are without understanding, and he will not be reached when iniquity overcomes⁶For the spirit of wisdom is benevolent, and will not release the evil speaker from his talk, because God is a witness of his temperament, and a true examiner of his heart, and an auditor of his words⁷For the spirit of the Lord has filled the world, and he who contains all things, retains knowledge of every voice

Luke

Chapter 17

¹And he said to his disciples: "It is impossible for scandals not to occur. But woe to him through whom they come²It would be better for him if a millstone were placed around his neck and he were thrown into the sea, than to lead astray one of these little ones³Be attentive to yourselves. If your brother has sinned against you, correct him. And if he has repented, forgive him⁴And if he has sinned against you seven times a day, and seven times a day has turned back to you, saying, ‘I am sorry,’ then forgive him.⁵And the Apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith.⁶But the Lord said: "If you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you may say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted, and be transplanted into the sea.’ And it would obey you

Sermon

In today's readings, we are invited to reflect on the essence of our relationship with God and with one another. The Book of Wisdom reminds us to love justice and seek God with a simple heart, emphasizing that wisdom dwells only in the virtuous. It warns that perverse thoughts and sin separate us from God, while the Holy Spirit flees from falsehood. This passage encourages us to embody truth and integrity, for God is the witness of our hearts and the auditor of our words. The Gospel of Luke complements this by focusing on our interactions with others. Jesus teaches us to avoid causing scandals, especially against the vulnerable, and to practice forgiveness and correction with love. He underscores the power of faith, even in small measures, to accomplish great things. The disciples' request for increased faith highlights the importance of trusting in God's power within us. Together, these readings guide us to cultivate integrity and forgiveness in our daily lives. They remind us that our internal virtues shape our external actions, fostering healthy relationships with both God and others. Let us strive to live with justice, truth, and compassion, trusting in the transformative power of faith.