Daily Readings - Thu Aug 27 2020
1 Corinthians
1Paul, called as an Apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God; and Sosthenes, a brother2to the Church of God which is at Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints with all who are invoking the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in every place of theirs and of ours3Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ4I give thanks to my God continuously for you because of the grace of God that has been given to you in Christ Jesus5By that grace, in all things, you have become wealthy in him, in every word and in all knowledge6And so, the testimony of Christ has been strengthened in you7In this way, nothing is lacking to you in any grace, as you await the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ8And he, too, will strengthen you, even until the end, without guilt, until the day of the advent of our Lord Jesus Christ9God is faithful. Through him, you have been called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord
Matthew
42Therefore, be vigilant. For you do not know at what hour your Lord will return43But know this: if only the father of the family knew at what hour the thief would arrive, he would certainly keep vigil and not permit his house to be broken into44For this reason, you also must be prepared, for you do not know at what hour the Son of man will return45Consider this: who is a faithful and prudent servant, who has been appointed by his lord over his family, to give them their portion in due time46Blessed is that servant, if, when his lord has arrived, he shall find him doing so47Amen I say to you, he shall appoint him over all of his goods48But if that evil servant has said in his heart, ‘My lord has been delayed in returning,49and so, he begins to strike his fellow servants, and he eats and drinks with the inebriated50then the lord of that servant will arrive on a day that he does not expect, and at an hour that he does not know51And he shall separate him, and he shall place his portion with the hypocrites, where there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Sermon
In today's readings, we hear Paul's heartfelt greeting to the Corinthian church, where he expresses gratitude for their spiritual enrichment and confidence in their faith. He reminds them of the grace they've received and encourages them to remain steadfast as they await Christ's return. In the Gospel, Jesus uses the parable of the faithful and unfaithful servants to emphasize the importance of vigilance and preparedness for His second coming. He warns against complacency and urges His followers to be responsible stewards of their talents and resources.
Both readings highlight the themes of faithfulness and readiness. Paul's letter to the Corinthians underscores the gifts and graces they've received, while Jesus' parable in Matthew serves as a reminder to use these gifts wisely and remain spiritually alert. The connection between the two lies in the call to live with purpose and responsibility, recognizing that our actions have eternal consequences.
As we reflect on these readings, we are invited to examine our own lives. Are we using the talents, time, and resources God has given us in a way that honors Him? Do we remain vigilant, keeping our hearts and minds focused on eternal truths? The moral lesson here is clear: faithfulness and stewardship are essential. We must live each day with intention, knowing that our commitment to God will be reflected in how we manage His gifts. Let us strive to be faithful servants, prepared to meet the Lord whenever He comes, living in a way that aligns with His will and values.