Daily Readings - Wed Oct 20 2021
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 responsibilities and expectations that come with our faith. The first reading from Romans 6:12-18 urges us to resist sin and instead offer our lives as instruments of justice, living under God’s grace. This passage emphasizes the transformation that occurs when we surrender to God, moving from slavery to sin to becoming servants of righteousness. The second reading from Luke 12:39-48 presents a parable about a master’s unexpected return, highlighting the importance of preparedness and faithfulness. Jesus teaches that those entrusted with much will be held to a higher standard, underscoring the consequences of neglecting our duties.
Both readings share a common theme of accountability and stewardship. In Romans, Paul focuses on our spiritual state, encouraging us to live in accordance with God’s grace. In Luke, Jesus emphasizes the practical aspects of faithfulness, illustrating the importance of being responsible with the resources and time we have. Together, these passages remind us that our faith is not passive but active, requiring us to make intentional choices that reflect our commitment to God.
Applying these teachings to our daily lives, we are called to be mindful of our actions and choices, ensuring they align with our faith. We must remain spiritually vigilant, prepared for life’s unexpected challenges and opportunities. This means being faithful stewards of the talents, time, and resources entrusted to us. The moral lesson here is clear: our actions have consequences, and we are called to live with purpose and integrity, recognizing that we will be held accountable for how we live our lives. Let us strive to be faithful servants, using our gifts to serve others and glorify God.