Daily Readings - Sat Nov 12 2022
3 John
5Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are,6who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God.7For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles.8Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.
Luke
1And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.2He said, "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man.3And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, 'Give me justice against my adversary.'4For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, 'Though I neither fear God nor respect man,5yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.'"6And the Lord said, "Hear what the unrighteous judge says.7And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them?8I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"
Sermon
In today's readings, we explore themes of faith, persistence, and trust in God. The first reading from 3 John emphasizes the importance of actively supporting those who serve in God's name. It highlights the early Christian community's reliance on charity and cooperation, urging us to assist missionaries without seeking help from unbelievers. This passage underscores the necessity of living out our faith through tangible actions, reflecting our commitment to God's truth.
The Gospel from Luke presents the parable of the persistent widow, teaching us about the power of relentless prayer. The widow's determination moves an unjust judge to act, illustrating that if even an unrighteous authority can grant justice, how much more will our righteous God respond to our petitions. This parable encourages us to maintain faith and persistence in our prayers, trusting in God's timing and justice.
Connecting these readings, we see a common thread of faith in action. 3 John calls us to active support of God's work, while Luke's parable inspires persistent prayer. Together, they remind us to trust in God's providence and live out our faith through both deeds and devotion. As we navigate our daily lives, may we embody this faith, trusting that our persistent prayers and selfless actions will bear fruit, reflecting God's love and justice in the world.