Daily Readings - Thu Aug 30 2018
1 Corinthians
1Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and our brother Sosthenes,2To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:3Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.4I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus,5that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge--6even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you--7so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ,8who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.9God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Matthew
42Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.43But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into.44Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.45"Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time?46Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.47Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions.48But if that wicked servant says to himself, 'My master is delayed,'49and begins to beat his fellow servants and eats and drinks with drunkards,50the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know51and will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of grace, vigilance, and faithfulness. In the first reading from 1 Corinthians, St. Paul expresses his gratitude for the Corinthian community, acknowledging the abundant grace they have received in Christ. He emphasizes that they are called to be saints, united with all who invoke the name of Jesus. Paul reminds them that they lack no grace as they await the revelation of the Lord Jesus, who will strengthen them until the end. This passage underscores the richness of God’s grace and the call to live as saints, trusting in God’s faithfulness.
The Gospel from Matthew presents Jesus teaching about the importance of being prepared for His return. Using the parable of the faithful and wicked servants, Jesus emphasizes the need for vigilance and prudent stewardship. The faithful servant is blessed for being diligent in his duties, while the wicked servant, who becomes complacent and abusive, faces judgment. Jesus warns that the Master will return at an unexpected hour, and we must be ready. This teaching challenges us to live with mindfulness and responsibility, recognizing that our actions have consequences and that we are accountable for how we use the gifts and time entrusted to us.
Both readings call us to trust in God’s faithfulness and to live with purpose and readiness. St. Paul reminds us of the grace we have received and the strength God provides, while Jesus urges us to be vigilant and faithful stewards. In our daily lives, this means living with gratitude for God’s blessings, using our talents and resources wisely, and remaining attentive to God’s presence and will. May we strive to be faithful servants, prepared to meet the Lord when He comes, and may we trust in His promise to strengthen us until the end.