Daily Readings - Fri Nov 04 2022
Philippians
17Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.18For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.19Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.20But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,21who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
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 are invited to reflect on our focus and actions in light of our eternal destiny. The first reading from Philippians encourages us to imitate Paul and live according to the Gospel, warning against a life centered on earthly desires. Paul reminds us that our true citizenship is in heaven, where we await Christ’s return to transform our bodies. This passage emphasizes living with a heavenly perspective, urging us to stand firm in our faith.
The Gospel parable of the dishonest steward challenges us to think about how we manage the resources entrusted to us. The steward, facing dismissal, secures his future by reducing the debts of others, earning his master’s praise for shrewdness. Jesus highlights that worldly people often handle their affairs more astutely than believers, prompting us to consider how we use our resources to build eternal treasures.
Both readings connect by urging us to live with intentionality and foresight. While the Philippians reading focuses on a heavenly orientation, the parable encourages prudent use of earthly resources for eternal gain. In our daily lives, this means making decisions that reflect our ultimate goal of heaven, using our resources wisely to serve others and build a lasting legacy. The moral lesson is clear: live with purpose, using your resources to glorify God and serve others, ensuring that your actions today lead to eternal rewards tomorrow.