Daily Readings - Mon Nov 07 2022

¹Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness,²in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began³and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior;⁴To Titus, my true child in a common faith:Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.⁵This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you--⁶if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination.⁷For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain,⁸but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.⁹He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

Luke

Chapter 17

¹And he said to his disciples, "Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come!²It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin.³Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him,⁴and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, 'I repent,' you must forgive him."⁵The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!"⁶And the Lord said, "If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you.

Sermon

In today's readings, we are reminded of the essential qualities that guide our faith and interactions with others. The first reading from Titus outlines the characteristics of church leaders, emphasizing moral integrity and faithfulness. This passage, part of Paul's pastoral epistles, was written to Titus, who was tasked with organizing early Christian communities in Crete. Paul stresses that leaders must embody virtues such as hospitality and justice, reflecting the church's commitment to truth and piety. The Gospel from Luke complements this by focusing on community life and the disciples' relationship with each other. Jesus teaches about avoiding scandals, especially those that lead others astray, and the importance of forgiveness. He also addresses the disciples' request to increase their faith, illustrating that even a small amount of faith can lead to significant changes, much like a mustard seed that grows into a mighty tree. Together, these readings highlight the interplay between personal integrity and communal faith. Applying these teachings to our daily lives, we are called to live with integrity, recognizing how our actions impact others. Forgiveness and faith are vital in maintaining healthy relationships and trusting in God's plan. The moral lesson here is clear: our faith, no matter how small, coupled with a commitment to integrity and forgiveness, can lead to profound transformations. As we reflect on these readings, let us strive to embody these virtues, fostering a community grounded in love and trust in God.