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Daily Readings - Tue Sep 20 2022

Proverbs

Chapter 21

1The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will.2Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the heart.3To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.4Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin.5The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.6The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.10The soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.11When a scoffer is punished, the simple becomes wise; when a wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge.12The Righteous One observes the house of the wicked; he throws the wicked down to ruin.13Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered.

Luke

Chapter 8

19Then his mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd.20And he was told, "Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see you."21But he answered them, "My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it."

Sermon

The readings today invite us to reflect on the relationship between faith, action, and the true meaning of family. In the first reading from Proverbs, we are reminded that true wisdom lies not in wealth or power, but in living a life of mercy, justice, and integrity. The passage warns against the dangers of selfishness and laziness, emphasizing that our actions have consequences. It also highlights the importance of discernment and compassion, urging us to listen to the cries of the poor and to act with justice. In the Gospel, Jesus expands our understanding of family beyond biological ties. When his mother and brothers cannot reach him due to the crowd, he declares that his true family consists of those who hear the word of God and put it into practice. This teaching challenges us to reevaluate our priorities and relationships. Jesus is not dismissing his biological family, but he is emphasizing that spiritual kinship is rooted in obedience to God’s will. This is a call to live out our faith in tangible ways, just as the first reading encourages us to act with mercy and justice. Together, these readings remind us that our faith must be lived out in our daily lives. It is not enough to claim a relationship with God if our actions do not reflect His love and justice. Let us ask ourselves: Are we truly hearing and doing the word of God? Are we living with compassion, integrity, and a commitment to justice? May we strive to be part of Jesus’ true family by living out our faith in love and service to others.