Daily Readings - Wed Oct 25 2017
Romans
12Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal bodies, to make you obey their passions.13Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness.14For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.15What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means!16Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?17But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed,18and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.
Luke
39But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into.40You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."41Peter said, "Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for all?"42And the Lord said, "Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time?43Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.44Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions.45But if that servant says to himself, 'My master is delayed in coming,' and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and get drunk,46the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and put him with the unfaithful.47And that servant who knew his master's will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating.48But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are reminded of the profound responsibility that comes with our faith. The first reading from Romans urges us not to let sin dominate our lives but instead to offer ourselves to God as instruments of justice. This passage, written by St. Paul, emphasizes the transformation that occurs through baptism, where we die to sin and rise to a new life in Christ. It calls us to live with purpose and integrity, recognizing that we are no longer bound by sin but are under God’s grace.
The Gospel from Luke reinforces this message through the parable of the faithful and prudent steward. Jesus teaches us to be vigilant and prepared for His return, highlighting the importance of faithfulness and responsibility. The steward who is diligent and faithful is rewarded, while the one who is negligent faces consequences. This parable is not just about the Second Coming but also about how we live each day. It challenges us to consider whether we are using the gifts, talents, and resources entrusted to us in a way that honors God.
Together, these readings invite us to reflect on our lives and our relationship with God. They remind us that our faith is not passive but active. We are called to live with intentionality, making choices that align with God’s will and being mindful of the accountability that comes with our faith. Let us strive to be faithful stewards of all that God has entrusted to us, living each day with purpose, integrity, and a deep commitment to our Lord.