Daily Readings - Mon Sep 18 2023
1 Timothy
1And so I beg you, first of all, to make supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings for all men2for kings, and for all who are in high places, so that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all piety and chastity3For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior4who wants all men to be saved and to arrive at an acknowledgment of the truth5For there is one God, and one mediator of God and of men, the man Christ Jesus6who gave himself as a redemption for all, as a testimony in its proper time7Of this testimony, I have been appointed a preacher and an Apostle, (I speak the truth, I do not lie) as a teacher of the Gentiles, in faith and in truth
Luke
1And when he had completed all his words in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum2Now the servant of a certain centurion was dying, due to an illness. And he was very dear to him3And when he had heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to him, petitioning him, so that he would come and heal his servant4And when they had come to Jesus, they petitioned him anxiously, saying to him: "He is worthy that you should provide this to him5For he loves our nation, and he has built a synagogue for us.6Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying: "Lord, do not trouble yourself. For I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof7Because of this, I also did not consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant shall be healed8For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.9And upon hearing this, Jesus was amazed. And turning to the multitude following him, he said, "Amen I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such great faith.10And those who had been sent, upon returning to the house, found that the servant, who had been sick, was now healthy
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful messages about faith, prayer, and the universal reach of God’s grace. The first reading from 1 Timothy emphasizes the importance of praying for everyone, especially those in positions of authority, so that we may live peaceful and godly lives. It reminds us that God desires the salvation of all people and that Jesus Christ is the unique mediator between God and humanity. The Gospel from Luke tells the story of a Roman centurion whose servant was healed by Jesus. The centurion’s remarkable faith, despite being a Gentile, moves Jesus to commend him and restore his servant to health.
These readings are deeply connected in their themes of faith and prayer. In 1 Timothy, we see the call to universal prayer, recognizing that God’s plan of salvation extends to all people. In Luke, we witness the practical outcome of such faith and prayer, as the centurion’s trust in Jesus leads to a miraculous healing. The centurion’s humility and recognition of his unworthiness before Jesus are particularly striking, showing that true faith is rooted in surrender and trust in God’s power.
As we reflect on these readings, we are invited to examine our own approach to prayer and faith. Do we pray for those around us, especially those in need or in positions of authority? Do we trust in God’s power to act in our lives and in the lives of others? The centurion’s example teaches us that faith can cross boundaries and that no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace. Let us strive to live with the same humility and trust, knowing that our prayers can be instruments of healing and unity in a world that often feels divided. May we, like the centurion, be witnesses to the power of faith and the boundless love of God.