Daily Readings - Fri Nov 10 2023
Romans
14I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another.15But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God16to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.17In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God.18For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience--by word and deed,19by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God--so that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ;20and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation,21but as it is written, "Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand."
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 encounter two distinct yet interconnected messages that invite us to reflect on our roles as stewards and disciples. The first reading from Romans highlights Paul's missionary work among the Gentiles, where he serves as a minister of Christ, boasting not in his own achievements but in the grace and power of the Holy Spirit. Paul's context is one of spreading the Gospel to those who have not heard it, emphasizing the importance of faithfulness and prudent use of his calling.
The Gospel from Luke presents the parable of the dishonest steward, who, upon being dismissed, secures his future by reducing the debts of others. While his actions are morally questionable, the master commends his prudence. Jesus draws a lesson from this, urging the disciples to be as shrewd in managing spiritual resources as the world is with material ones. This parable challenges us to consider how we use our talents, time, and resources in service to God and others.
Both readings converge on the theme of stewardship and responsibility. Paul's dedication to his mission and the steward's calculated actions remind us that our actions have consequences. In our daily lives, we are called to be wise stewards of what God has entrusted to us. This means using our resources to serve others and glorify God, whether through spreading the Gospel or through acts of kindness and prudence.
The moral lesson here is clear: faithfulness and prudence are essential in our Christian journey. Just as the world is diligent in its pursuits, we must be equally diligent in our spiritual lives. Let us strive to use our gifts and opportunities wisely, ensuring that our actions reflect our commitment to God and His kingdom.