Daily Readings - Tue Sep 22 2020
Proverbs
1Just as with the dividing of the waters, so also is the heart of the king in the hand of the Lord. He shall bend it whichever way he wills2Every way of a man seems right to himself. But the Lord weighs hearts3To do mercy and judgment is more pleasing to the Lord than sacrifices4To lift up the eyes is to enlarge the heart. The lamp of the impious is sin5The intentions of the robust continually bring forth abundance. But all the lazy are continually in need6Whoever gathers treasures by a lying tongue is vain and heartless. And he will stumble into the snares of death10The soul of the impious desires evil; he will not take pity on his neighbor11When the pestilent is punished, a little one will become wiser. And if he pursues what is wise, he will receive knowledge12The just thinks carefully about the house of the impious, so that he may draw the impious away from evil13Whoever blocks his ears to the outcry of the poor shall also cry out himself, and he will not be heeded
Luke
19Then his mother and brothers came to him; but they were not able to go to him because of the crowd20And it was reported to him, "Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.21And in response, he said to them, "My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.
Sermon
In today's readings, we are invited to reflect on the essence of living according to God's will. The first reading from Proverbs reminds us that true wisdom lies in understanding that our actions and intentions are what truly matter. It emphasizes the importance of mercy, justice, and compassion, warning against the pitfalls of sin and laziness. The passage also highlights the responsibility to help those in need, as ignoring the poor's cry leads to being unheard.
The Gospel from Luke offers a profound redefinition of family. Jesus teaches that his true family consists of those who not only hear God's word but also act upon it. This challenges us to move beyond mere lip service and to embody our faith through our actions.
Connecting these readings, we see a clear call to live out our faith with integrity. Being part of God's family is not just about words but about deeds. Let us apply this by actively seeking justice, showing mercy, and helping those in need. Let our actions reflect our commitment to God's will, ensuring that we are true followers in both word and deed.