Daily Readings - Mon Nov 11 2024

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

The readings today invite us to reflect on the qualities of leadership, the importance of forgiveness, and the power of faith. In the first reading from Titus, St. Paul outlines the characteristics of a bishop, emphasizing integrity, humility, and hospitality. These qualities are not just for church leaders but are virtues we all should strive for in our own lives. The Gospel from Luke challenges us to think about how we treat others, especially the vulnerable, and how we respond to wrongdoing. Jesus warns against causing scandals and emphasizes the need for forgiveness, even when someone wrongs us repeatedly. He also reminds us that faith, no matter how small, can move mountains. The connection between the readings lies in their focus on living out our faith in practical ways. Titus reminds us that our actions must align with our beliefs, while Luke’s Gospel calls us to live with compassion and humility. Together, they highlight the importance of integrity and mercy in our relationships with others. These teachings are not abstract; they are meant to shape how we interact with the world around us. Whether we are leaders or not, we are all called to live in a way that reflects God’s love and truth. In our daily lives, let us strive to embody the qualities St. Paul describes—being honest, kind, and just. Let us also remember Jesus’ call to forgive generously, even when it is difficult. Faith, even as small as a mustard seed, can give us the strength to forgive, to lead with integrity, and to trust in God’s plan. May we use our faith to build up one another and to create a world that reflects God’s love and mercy.