Daily Readings - Fri Nov 10 2017
Romans
14I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another.15But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God16to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.17In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God.18For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience--by word and deed,19by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God--so that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ;20and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation,21but as it is written, "Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand."
Luke
1He also said to the disciples, "There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions.2And he called him and said to him, 'What is this that I hear about you? Turn in the account of your management, for you can no longer be manager.'3And the manager said to himself, 'What shall I do, since my master is taking the management away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg.4I have decided what to do, so that when I am removed from management, people may receive me into their houses.'5So, summoning his master's debtors one by one, he said to the first, 'How much do you owe my master?'6He said, 'A hundred measures of oil.' He said to him, 'Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.'7Then he said to another, 'And how much do you owe?' He said, 'A hundred measures of wheat.' He said to him, 'Take your bill, and write eighty.'8The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful lessons on responsibility and wisdom. The first reading from Romans highlights Paul's dedication to his mission, spreading the Gospel to the Gentiles with grace and commitment. He emphasizes not building on others' foundations, underscoring the importance of originality and sincerity in our callings. The Gospel, however, presents a more complex scenario through the parable of the unjust steward. This steward, faced with losing his position, cleverly reduces the debts of others to secure their favor, earning praise from his master for his prudence, despite his moral failings.
The context of these readings is rooted in their historical settings. Paul's letter to the Romans is a testament to the early Christian mission, focusing on the responsibility of spreading the Word. The parable in Luke uses a relatable scenario to teach about wisdom and resource management, highlighting the contrast between worldly prudence and spiritual integrity. Both readings emphasize the theme of stewardship—whether of spiritual responsibilities or material resources.
Applying these lessons to our daily lives, we are reminded to be prudent stewards of our talents and resources. Like Paul, we should embrace our unique callings with dedication and integrity. The parable encourages us to think strategically about how we use our resources, not just for immediate gains but for eternal benefits. However, it also cautions us to maintain moral integrity, ensuring that our prudence is guided by ethical principles.
The moral lesson here is clear: wisdom and responsibility go hand in hand. We must manage our resources and talents with foresight, using them to build a legacy that aligns with our values. Let us strive to be wise stewards, not just in our actions but in our character, ensuring that our prudence serves a higher purpose. In doing so, we honor our responsibilities and contribute to a greater good, both in this life and the next.