Daily Readings - Mon Nov 07 2022

¹Paul, a servant of God and an Apostle of Jesus Christ, in accord with the faith of God’s elect and in acknowledgment of the truth which is accompanied by piety²in the hope of the eternal life that God, who does not lie, promised before the ages of time³which, at the proper time, he has manifested by his Word, in the preaching that has been entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior⁴to Titus, beloved son according to the common faith. Grace and peace, from God the Father and from Christ Jesus our Savior⁵For this reason, I left you behind in Crete: so that those things which are lacking, you would correct, and so that you would ordain, throughout the communities, priests, (just as I also ordained you⁶if such a man is without offense, the husband of one wife, having faithful children, not accused of self-indulgence, nor of insubordination⁷And a bishop, as a steward of God, must be without offense: not arrogant, not short-tempered, not a drunkard, not violent, not desiring tainted profit⁸but instead: hospitable, kind, sober, just, holy, chaste⁹embracing faithful speech which is in agreement with doctrine, so that he may be able to exhort in sound doctrine and to argue against those who contradict

Luke

Chapter 17

¹And he said to his disciples: "It is impossible for scandals not to occur. But woe to him through whom they come²It would be better for him if a millstone were placed around his neck and he were thrown into the sea, than to lead astray one of these little ones³Be attentive to yourselves. If your brother has sinned against you, correct him. And if he has repented, forgive him⁴And if he has sinned against you seven times a day, and seven times a day has turned back to you, saying, ‘I am sorry,’ then forgive him.⁵And the Apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith.⁶But the Lord said: "If you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you may say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted, and be transplanted into the sea.’ And it would obey you

Sermon

In today's readings, we are reminded of the essential qualities that guide our faith and interactions with others. The first reading from Titus outlines the characteristics of church leaders, emphasizing moral integrity and faithfulness. This passage, part of Paul's pastoral epistles, was written to Titus, who was tasked with organizing early Christian communities in Crete. Paul stresses that leaders must embody virtues such as hospitality and justice, reflecting the church's commitment to truth and piety. The Gospel from Luke complements this by focusing on community life and the disciples' relationship with each other. Jesus teaches about avoiding scandals, especially those that lead others astray, and the importance of forgiveness. He also addresses the disciples' request to increase their faith, illustrating that even a small amount of faith can lead to significant changes, much like a mustard seed that grows into a mighty tree. Together, these readings highlight the interplay between personal integrity and communal faith. Applying these teachings to our daily lives, we are called to live with integrity, recognizing how our actions impact others. Forgiveness and faith are vital in maintaining healthy relationships and trusting in God's plan. The moral lesson here is clear: our faith, no matter how small, coupled with a commitment to integrity and forgiveness, can lead to profound transformations. As we reflect on these readings, let us strive to embody these virtues, fostering a community grounded in love and trust in God.