Daily Readings - Wed Nov 11 2020
Titus
1Admonish them to be subordinate to the rulers and authorities, to obey their dictates, to be prepared for every good work2to speak evil of no one, not to be litigious, but to be reserved, displaying all meekness toward all men3For, in times past, we ourselves were also unwise, unbelieving, erring, servants of various desires and pleasures, acting with malice and envy, being hateful and hating one another4But then the kindness and humanity of God our Savior appeared5And he saved us, not by works of justice that we had done, but, in accord with his mercy, by the washing of regeneration and by the renovation of the Holy Spirit6whom he has poured out upon us in abundance, through Jesus Christ our Savior7so that, having been justified by his grace, we may become heirs according to the hope of eternal life
Luke
11And it happened that, while he was traveling to Jerusalem, he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee12And as he was entering a certain town, ten leprous men met him, and they stood at a distance13And they lifted up their voice, saying, "Jesus, Teacher, take pity on us.14And when he saw them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And it happened that, as they were going, they were cleansed15And one of them, when he saw that he was cleansed, returned, magnifying God with a loud voice16And he fell face down before his feet, giving thanks. And this one was a Samaritan17And in response, Jesus said: "Were not ten made clean? And so where are the nine18Was no one found who would return and give glory to God, except this foreigner?19And he said to him: "Rise up, go forth. For your faith has saved you.
Sermon
In today's readings, we are reminded of the transformative power of gratitude and faith. The first reading from Titus encourages believers to live virtuous lives, obeying authorities and avoiding malice, while emphasizing that our salvation comes not from our deeds but from God's mercy. This mercy regenerates us through the Holy Spirit, making us heirs of eternal life. The Gospel from Luke narrates Jesus healing ten lepers, with only one returning to express thanks, a Samaritan, whose faith Jesus commends.
Both readings highlight the importance of gratitude. Titus underscores being mindful of God's mercy, while Luke's Gospel illustrates the impact of acknowledging God's blessings. The Samaritan's gratitude stands out, teaching us that true faith is accompanied by thanksgiving. This reflects the broader theme of recognizing God's grace in our lives, regardless of our background or circumstances.
In our daily lives, we are called to cultivate gratitude, recognizing the blessings we often overlook. Like the Samaritan, we should humbly acknowledge God's mercy, allowing it to transform us. This practice not only deepens our faith but also inspires us to live with compassion and kindness. Let us remember that gratitude is not just a response but a way of life, reflecting our trust in God's providence and love.