Daily Readings - Fri Nov 05 2021
Romans
14But I am also certain about you, my brothers, that you also have been filled with love, completed with all knowledge, so that you are able to admonish one another15But I have written to you, brothers, more boldly than to the others, as if calling you to mind again, because of the grace which has been given to me from God16so that I may be a minister of Christ Jesus among the Gentiles, sanctifying the Gospel of God, in order that the oblation of the Gentiles may be made acceptable and may be sanctified in the Holy Spirit17Therefore, I have glory in Christ Jesus before God18So I dare not speak of any of those things which Christ does not effect through me, unto the obedience of the Gentiles, in word and deed19with the power of signs and wonders, by power of the Holy Spirit. For in this way, from Jerusalem, throughout its surroundings, as far as Illyricum, I have replenished the Gospel of Christ20And so I have preached this Gospel, not where Christ was known by name, lest I build upon the foundation of another21but just as it was written: "Those to whom he was not announced shall perceive, and those who have not heard shall understand.
Luke
1And he also said to his disciples: "A certain man was wealthy, and he had a steward of his estate. And this man was accused to him of having dissipated his goods2And he called him and said to him: ‘What is this that I hear about you? Give an account of your stewardship. For you can no longer be my steward.3And the steward said within himself: ‘What shall I do? For my lord is taking the stewardship away from me. I am not strong enough to dig. I am too ashamed to beg4I know what I will do so that, when I have been removed from the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.5And so, calling together each one of his lord’s debtors, he said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my lord?6So he said, ‘One hundred jars of oil.’ And he said to him, ‘Take your invoice, and quickly, sit down and write fifty.7Next, he said to another, ‘In truth, how much do you owe?’ And he said, ‘One hundred measures of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your record books, and write eighty.8And the lord praised the iniquitous steward, in that he had acted prudently. For the sons of this age are more prudent with their generation than are the sons of light
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of stewardship, responsibility, and the wise use of the gifts and resources entrusted to us. In the first reading from Romans, St. Paul speaks of his own stewardship as a minister of the Gospel. He humbly acknowledges the grace God has given him to serve the Gentiles and to spread the Gospel far and wide. Paul takes pride not in his own achievements but in the work Christ accomplishes through him. His words remind us that our lives are not our own but are entrusted to us for the service of others and the glory of God.
In the Gospel, Jesus tells the parable of the shrewd steward, a man who, faced with losing his position, acts prudently to secure his future. While the steward’s actions may seem morally ambiguous, Jesus uses this story to highlight the wisdom of using worldly resources in a way that builds lasting relationships and secures eternal benefits. The sons of this world, Jesus notes, often show more ingenuity in managing temporal affairs than do the sons of light. This challenges us to consider how we use the resources, talents, and time God has given us. Are we as clever and intentional about living for God as others are about living for the world?
These readings call us to reflect on our own stewardship of God’s gifts. Like Paul, we are called to use our talents and resources to serve others and to build up the Body of Christ. Like the shrewd steward, we are invited to think creatively and act wisely, not for selfish gain, but for the sake of eternal treasures. Let us ask ourselves: How am I using what God has given me? Am I living in a way that reflects my ultimate purpose—to love God and to love my neighbor? May we strive to be faithful stewards, using all that we have to glorify God and to prepare for the eternal life that awaits us.