Daily Readings - Sat Nov 06 2021

³Greet Prisca and Aquila, my helpers in Christ Jesus⁴who have risked their own necks on behalf of my life, for whom I give thanks, not I alone, but also all the churches of the Gentiles⁵and greet the church at their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is among the first-fruits of Asia in Christ⁶Greet Mary, who has labored much among you⁷Greet Andronicus and Junias, my kinsmen and fellow captives, who are noble among the Apostles, and who were in Christ prior to me⁸Greet Ampliatus, most beloved to me in the Lord⁹Greet Urbanus, our helper in Christ Jesus, and Stachys, my beloved¹⁶Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you²²I, Tertius, who wrote this epistle, greet you in the Lord²³Gaius, my host, and the entire church, greets you. Erastus, the treasurer of the city, greets you, and Quartus, a brother²⁴The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen²⁵But to him who is able to confirm you according to my Gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, in accord with the revelation of the mystery which has been hidden from time immemorial²⁶(which now has been made clear through the Scriptures of the Prophets, in accord with the precept of the eternal God, unto the obedience of faith) which has been made known among all the Gentiles²⁷to God, who alone is wise, through Jesus Christ, to him be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen

Luke

Chapter 16

⁹And so I say to you, make friends for yourself using iniquitous mammon, so that, when you will have passed away, they may receive you into the eternal tabernacles¹⁰Whoever is faithful in what is least, is also faithful in what is greater. And whoever is unjust in what is small, is also unjust in what is greater¹¹So then, if you have not been faithful with iniquitous mammon, who will trust you with what is true¹²And if you have not been faithful with what belongs to another, who will give you what is yours¹³No servant is able to serve two lords. For either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will cling to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.¹⁴But the Pharisees, who were greedy, were listening to all these things. And they ridiculed him¹⁵And he said to them: "You are the ones who justify yourselves in the sight of men. But God knows your hearts. For what is lifted up by men is an abomination in the sight of God

Sermon

The readings today remind us of the importance of gratitude, faithfulness, and the proper use of the resources we have been given. In the first reading from Romans, St. Paul offers a heartfelt greeting to various members of the early Christian community, acknowledging their contributions and expressing his deep appreciation for their support. This passage highlights the value of community and the bonds of love that unite believers in Christ. It also underscores the importance of recognizing and thanking those who have helped us on our journey of faith. In the Gospel, Jesus teaches us about the use of material wealth and the importance of faithfulness. He encourages us to use worldly resources wisely, not for selfish gain, but to build relationships that will last into eternal life. Jesus emphasizes that faithfulness in small matters is a sign of faithfulness in greater ones. He also warns against the temptation to serve two masters—God and mammon—reminding us that we cannot be divided in our allegiance. The Pharisees, who were consumed by greed, ridiculed Jesus’ teaching, but He made it clear that what is exalted by men is often detestable in God’s sight. These readings invite us to reflect on our own lives. Are we grateful for the people and blessings God has placed in our lives? Do we use the resources we have been given in a way that honors God and serves others? Let us strive to be faithful stewards of all that we have, whether great or small, and to prioritize our relationship with God above all else. May we cultivate hearts of gratitude and live in a way that reflects our ultimate allegiance to Christ, knowing that true wealth lies not in material possessions but in the eternal treasures of love, mercy, and faithfulness.