Daily Readings - Wed Sep 23 2020
Proverbs
5Every word of God is fire-tested. He is a bronze shield to those who hope in him6Do not add anything to his words, lest you be reproved and be discovered to be a liar7Two things I have asked of you; do not deny them to me before I die8Remove, far from me, vanity and lying words. Give me neither begging, nor wealth. Apportion to me only the necessities of my life9lest perhaps, being filled, I might be enticed into denial, and say: ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or, being compelled by destitution, I might steal, and then perjure myself in the name of my God
Luke
1Then calling together the twelve Apostles, he gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases2And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the infirm3And he said to them: "You should take nothing for the journey, neither staff, nor traveling bag, nor bread, nor money; and you should not have two tunics4And into whatever house you shall enter, lodge there, and do not move away from there5And whoever will not have received you, upon departing from that city, shake off even the dust on your feet, as a testimony against them.6And going forth, they traveled around, through the towns, evangelizing and curing everywhere
Sermon
In today's readings, we are invited to reflect on trust in God and simplicity of life. The first reading from Proverbs reminds us to trust in God's wisdom and provision, avoiding the extremes of wealth and poverty. It encourages us to be content with what is necessary, fostering a deep faith that God will provide. The Gospel from Luke shows Jesus sending out the apostles with nothing, teaching them to rely solely on God's grace and the kindness of others. This mission emphasizes trust and detachment from material possessions.
Both readings highlight the importance of trusting in God's providence. Proverbs, part of the wisdom literature, teaches us to seek balance and contentment, while Luke's passage illustrates the early Christian community's reliance on faith. The apostles' mission demonstrates that true strength comes from God, not from what we possess.
In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to embrace simplicity and trust in God's plan. We are reminded not to be controlled by material wealth but to find joy in what is essential. Let us pray for the grace to trust God fully, living with gratitude and contentment, and may our faith guide us in all we do.