Daily Readings - Tue Nov 04 2025
Romans
5so also we, being many, are one body in Christ, and each one is a part, the one of the other6And we each have different gifts, according to the grace that has been given to us: whether prophecy, in agreement with the reasonableness of faith7or ministry, in ministering; or he who teaches, in doctrine8he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, in simplicity; he who governs, in solicitude; he who shows mercy, in cheerfulness9Let love be without falseness: hating evil, clinging to what is good10loving one another with fraternal charity, surpassing one another in honor11in solicitude, not lazy; in spirit, fervent; serving the Lord12in hope, rejoicing; in tribulation, enduring; in prayer, ever-willing13in the difficulties of the saints, sharing; in hospitality, attentive14Bless those who are persecuting you: bless, and do not curse15Rejoice with those who are rejoicing. Weep with those who are weeping16Be of the same mind toward one another: not savoring what is exalted, but consenting in humility. Do not choose to seem wise to yourself
Luke
15When someone sitting at table with him had heard these things, he said to him, "Blessed is he who will eat bread in the kingdom of God.16So he said to him: "A certain man prepared a great feast, and he invited many17And he sent his servant, at the hour of the feast, to tell the invited to come; for now everything was ready18And at once they all began to make excuses. The first said to him: ‘I bought a farm, and I need to go out and see it. I ask you to excuse me.19And another said: ‘I bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to examine them. I ask you to excuse me.20And another said, ‘I have taken a wife, and therefore I am not able to go.21And returning, the servant reported these things to his lord. Then the father of the family, becoming angry, said to his servant: ‘Go out quickly into the streets and neighborhoods of the city. And lead here the poor, and the disabled, and the blind, and the lame.22And the servant said: ‘It has been done, just as you ordered, lord, and there is still room.23And the lord said to the servant: ‘Go out to the highways and hedges, and compel them to enter, so that my house may be filled24For I tell you, that none of those men who were invited will taste of my feast.’
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are reminded of the call to live as members of God’s family, united in Christ and committed to serving one another with humility and love. The first reading from Romans emphasizes that we are one body in Christ, each with unique gifts and responsibilities. Paul urges us to use these gifts generously and sincerely, avoiding pretense and self-importance. He calls us to live with genuine love, to rejoice with those who rejoice, and to weep with those who weep. This passage challenges us to embrace our interconnectedness and to live in harmony, supporting one another in our shared journey of faith.
The Gospel from Luke offers a complementary message through the parable of the great feast. When the invited guests make excuses and refuse the invitation, the host opens his table to the poor, the blind, and the lame—those often overlooked by society. This story reflects God’s desire to include all people in His kingdom, especially those who are marginalized or forgotten. It also serves as a warning against complacency and self-absorption. Just as the guests in the parable missed the opportunity to share in the feast, we risk missing the deeper invitation to live in communion with God and with one another if we allow worldly concerns or selfishness to distract us.
Together, these readings invite us to reflect on our own lives. Are we using the gifts God has given us to serve others, or are we holding them back? Do we welcome the marginalized and the overlooked, or do we allow our own comfort and excuses to keep us isolated? Let us strive to live with the humility and generosity that Paul describes, and let us respond eagerly to God’s invitation to the feast of life. May we remember that true joy and fulfillment come not from what we possess or achieve, but from living in love and service to others, just as Christ has shown us.