Daily Readings - Sat Nov 08 2025

³Greet Prisca and Aquila, my helpers in Christ Jesus⁴who have risked their own necks on behalf of my life, for whom I give thanks, not I alone, but also all the churches of the Gentiles⁵and greet the church at their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is among the first-fruits of Asia in Christ⁶Greet Mary, who has labored much among you⁷Greet Andronicus and Junias, my kinsmen and fellow captives, who are noble among the Apostles, and who were in Christ prior to me⁸Greet Ampliatus, most beloved to me in the Lord⁹Greet Urbanus, our helper in Christ Jesus, and Stachys, my beloved¹⁶Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you²²I, Tertius, who wrote this epistle, greet you in the Lord²³Gaius, my host, and the entire church, greets you. Erastus, the treasurer of the city, greets you, and Quartus, a brother²⁴The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen²⁵But to him who is able to confirm you according to my Gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, in accord with the revelation of the mystery which has been hidden from time immemorial²⁶(which now has been made clear through the Scriptures of the Prophets, in accord with the precept of the eternal God, unto the obedience of faith) which has been made known among all the Gentiles²⁷to God, who alone is wise, through Jesus Christ, to him be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen

Luke

Chapter 16

⁹And so I say to you, make friends for yourself using iniquitous mammon, so that, when you will have passed away, they may receive you into the eternal tabernacles¹⁰Whoever is faithful in what is least, is also faithful in what is greater. And whoever is unjust in what is small, is also unjust in what is greater¹¹So then, if you have not been faithful with iniquitous mammon, who will trust you with what is true¹²And if you have not been faithful with what belongs to another, who will give you what is yours¹³No servant is able to serve two lords. For either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will cling to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.¹⁴But the Pharisees, who were greedy, were listening to all these things. And they ridiculed him¹⁵And he said to them: "You are the ones who justify yourselves in the sight of men. But God knows your hearts. For what is lifted up by men is an abomination in the sight of God

Sermon

In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful messages that invite us to reflect on our relationship with God and with one another. The first reading from Romans is a beautiful expression of gratitude and unity within the early Christian community. Paul greets various individuals and families, acknowledging their contributions to the faith and expressing deep appreciation for their support. This passage reminds us that the Church is not just an institution but a family bound together by love and shared purpose. The reading concludes with a doxology, a hymn of praise to God, who alone is wise and worthy of eternal glory. The Gospel from Luke presents a different tone, as Jesus challenges us to think critically about our priorities. He urges us to use worldly resources wisely, not for selfish gain, but to build relationships that will endure beyond this life. Jesus emphasizes faithfulness in small things, teaching that our trustworthiness in little matters reflects our character in greater ones. He then confronts the temptation of greed, warning that we cannot serve both God and money. The Pharisees, who were consumed by materialism, ridicule Jesus’ words, but He reminds them—and us—that what matters most is not human approval but the judgment of God, who sees into the depths of our hearts. These readings call us to live with integrity and purpose. The example of the early Christian community in Romans shows us the importance of gratitude, collaboration, and mutual support. We are reminded that our faith is not a solitary journey but one lived out in communion with others. From Luke, we learn the necessity of prioritizing God above all else, using the resources we have—time, talent, and treasure—to serve Him and others. Let us strive to be faithful in small ways each day, knowing that these actions shape who we are and prepare us for greater things. May we also avoid the trap of greed, instead choosing to live simply, generously, and with hearts fixed on eternal truths.