Daily Readings - Wed Oct 25 2023
Romans
12Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal bodies, to make you obey their passions.13Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness.14For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.15What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means!16Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?17But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed,18and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.
Luke
39But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into.40You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."41Peter said, "Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for all?"42And the Lord said, "Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time?43Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.44Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions.45But if that servant says to himself, 'My master is delayed in coming,' and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and get drunk,46the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and put him with the unfaithful.47And that servant who knew his master's will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating.48But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on our relationship with God and our responsibility to live as faithful disciples. In the first reading from Romans, St. Paul reminds us that we are no longer slaves to sin but are called to live under grace. He urges us to offer our bodies as instruments of justice, not as tools for sin. This passage emphasizes the transformative power of baptism, which frees us from the dominion of sin and calls us to live in obedience to God’s will. We are not just passive recipients of grace; we are called to actively cooperate with it by living virtuous lives.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches us about the importance of being prepared and faithful stewards. He uses the parable of the master who returns unexpectedly to emphasize the need for vigilance and responsibility. The faithful servant is the one who remains attentive to his duties and cares for the household entrusted to him. Jesus warns, however, that if a servant becomes complacent or abusive of his position, he will face severe consequences. This teaching extends beyond the parable to all of us, reminding us that we are stewards of the gifts, talents, and resources God has given us. Much is expected from those to whom much has been given.
These readings call us to examine our lives and ask: Are we living as faithful stewards of God’s grace and gifts? Are we prepared to meet the Lord when he comes, whether at the end of our lives or in the unexpected moments of grace? Let us strive to live with purpose and integrity, mindful that our choices have consequences. May we use our time, talents, and resources to build up the Kingdom of God, trusting in his mercy and striving to be faithful servants.