Daily Readings - Sat Sep 13 2025
1 Timothy
15It is a faithful saying, and worthy of acceptance by everyone, that Christ Jesus came into this world to bring salvation to sinners, among whom I am first16But it was for this reason that I obtained mercy, so that in me as first, Christ Jesus would display all patience, for the instruction of those who would believe in him unto eternal life17So then, to the King of ages, to the immortal, invisible, solitary God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen
Luke
43For there is no good tree which produces bad fruit, nor does an evil tree produce good fruit44For each and every tree is known by its fruit. For they do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather the grape from the bramble bush45A good man, from the good storehouse of his heart, offers what is good. And an evil man, from the evil storehouse, offers what is evil. For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks46But why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I say47Anyone who comes to me, and listens to my words, and does them: I will reveal to you what he is like48He is like a man building a house, who has dug deep and has laid the foundation upon the rock. Then, when the floodwaters came, the river was rushing against that house, and it was not able to move it. For it was founded upon the rock49But whoever hears and does not do: he is like a man building his house upon the soil, without a foundation. The river rushed against it, and it soon fell down, and the ruin of that house was great.
Sermon
In today's readings, we are reminded of the profound mercy of God and the importance of living out our faith. The first reading from 1 Timothy emphasizes that Christ came to save sinners, with Paul humbly acknowledging himself as the foremost sinner. Yet, through God's mercy, Paul became an example of patience for others, illustrating that no one is beyond redemption. The Gospel from Luke uses the parable of the trees and the two builders to highlight that our actions reflect our inner state. A good tree bears good fruit, and a house built on rock endures, symbolizing the importance of acting on God's teachings.
Both readings underscore the transformative power of God's mercy and the necessity of living according to His will. Paul's experience shows that mercy is not just forgiveness but also a call to share that grace with others. Similarly, Luke's parable teaches us that merely hearing God's word is insufficient; we must act on it, building our spiritual lives on the solid foundation of faith.
In our daily lives, this means acknowledging our sinfulness and embracing God's mercy. We must allow this grace to transform us, leading us to act with love and integrity. Just as a tree is known by its fruit, our actions reveal our true character. Let us strive to build our lives on the rock of faith, ensuring that our deeds reflect the mercy and love we have received. By doing so, we become living testimonies of God's grace, enduring life's challenges with resilience and hope.