Daily Readings - Tue Nov 07 2023
Romans
5so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.6Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith;7if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching;8the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.9Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.10Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.11Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.12Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.13Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.15Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be conceited.
Luke
15When one of those who reclined at table with him heard these things, he said to him, "Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!"16But he said to him, "A man once gave a great banquet and invited many.17And at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, 'Come, for everything is now ready.'18But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, 'I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. Please have me excused.'19And another said, 'I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them. Please have me excused.'20And another said, 'I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.'21So the servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house became angry and said to his servant, 'Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.'22And the servant said, 'Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.'23And the master said to the servant, 'Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled.24For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.'"
Sermon
In today’s readings, St. Paul and Jesus remind us of the importance of living as members of God’s family, united in love and humility. In the first reading from Romans, Paul describes the Church as one body in Christ, where each member has a unique gift to contribute. He exhorts us to live with genuine love, to hate what is evil, and to cling to what is good. Paul emphasizes that our gifts are not for our own glory but for the service of others. He calls us to humility, simplicity, and fervor in our lives, urging us to rejoice in hope, endure in tribulation, and be constant in prayer. This passage invites us to reflect on how we use our talents and how we relate to one another in the Body of Christ.
In the Gospel, Jesus tells the parable of the great feast, where those who were invited made excuses and refused to come. The master, in his generosity, then invites the poor, the disabled, and the marginalized to fill his house. This parable is a powerful reminder that God’s invitation is universal, and no one should feel excluded from His love. It also warns us against becoming complacent or allowing worldly concerns to distract us from what truly matters—our relationship with God. Just as the master sent his servant to gather those who were overlooked, we are called to reach out to others, especially those on the peripheries, and to create an inclusive community where everyone feels welcome.
Both readings challenge us to live with humility and openness. Paul’s emphasis on unity and service reminds us that we are not isolated individuals but part of a larger family. Jesus’ parable calls us to prioritize God’s invitation above all else and to embrace those who are often forgotten. In our daily lives, let us ask ourselves: Are we using our gifts to serve others? Are we creating space for those who feel excluded? Let us strive to live with genuine love, humility, and a willingness to welcome others into the feast of God’s kingdom. May we not let excuses or distractions keep us from fully participating in the life God has called us to live.