Daily Readings - Sat Nov 06 2021

³Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus,⁴who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well.⁵Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in Asia.⁶Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you.⁷Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners. They are well known to the apostles, and they were in Christ before me.⁸Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord.⁹Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys.¹⁶Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.²²I Tertius, who wrote this letter, greet you in the Lord.²³Gaius, who is host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus, greet you.²⁴See Footnote²⁵Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages²⁶but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith--²⁷to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.

Luke

Chapter 16

⁹And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings.¹⁰"One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.¹¹If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?¹²And if you have not been faithful in that which is another's, who will give you that which is your own?¹³No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money."¹⁴The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things, and they ridiculed him.¹⁵And he said to them, "You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.

Sermon

The readings today remind us of the importance of gratitude, faithfulness, and the proper use of the resources we have been given. In the first reading from Romans, St. Paul offers a heartfelt greeting to various members of the early Christian community, acknowledging their contributions and expressing his deep appreciation for their support. This passage highlights the value of community and the bonds of love that unite believers in Christ. It also underscores the importance of recognizing and thanking those who have helped us on our journey of faith. In the Gospel, Jesus teaches us about the use of material wealth and the importance of faithfulness. He encourages us to use worldly resources wisely, not for selfish gain, but to build relationships that will last into eternal life. Jesus emphasizes that faithfulness in small matters is a sign of faithfulness in greater ones. He also warns against the temptation to serve two masters—God and mammon—reminding us that we cannot be divided in our allegiance. The Pharisees, who were consumed by greed, ridiculed Jesus’ teaching, but He made it clear that what is exalted by men is often detestable in God’s sight. These readings invite us to reflect on our own lives. Are we grateful for the people and blessings God has placed in our lives? Do we use the resources we have been given in a way that honors God and serves others? Let us strive to be faithful stewards of all that we have, whether great or small, and to prioritize our relationship with God above all else. May we cultivate hearts of gratitude and live in a way that reflects our ultimate allegiance to Christ, knowing that true wealth lies not in material possessions but in the eternal treasures of love, mercy, and faithfulness.