Daily Catholic Mass Readings for November 11, 2023
First Reading: Romans 16.3-9, 16, 22-27
3Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus,4who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well.5Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in Asia.6Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you.7Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners. They are well known to the apostles, and they were in Christ before me.8Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord.9Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys.16Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.22I Tertius, who wrote this letter, greet you in the Lord.23Gaius, who is host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus, greet you.24See Footnote25Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages26but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith--27to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.
Psalm 145
1I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever.2Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever.3Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.4One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.5On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.6They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds, and I will declare your greatness.7They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.8The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.9The LORD is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made.10All your works shall give thanks to you, O LORD, and all your saints shall bless you!11They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom and tell of your power,12to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.13Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations.[The LORD is faithful in all his words and kind in all his works.]14The LORD upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down.15The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season.16You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing.17The LORD is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works.18The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.19He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them.20The LORD preserves all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.21My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD, and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever.
Gospel: Luke 16.9-15
9And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings.10"One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.11If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?12And if you have not been faithful in that which is another's, who will give you that which is your own?13No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money."14The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things, and they ridiculed him.15And he said to them, "You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful messages about faith, gratitude, and the right use of resources. In the first reading from Romans, Paul sends greetings to various members of the early Christian community, expressing deep gratitude for their support and acknowledging their contributions to the spread of the Gospel. He concludes with a beautiful doxology, praising God for His wisdom and eternal plan. This passage reminds us of the importance of community, collaboration, and recognizing the role each person plays in the Body of Christ. In the Gospel, Jesus teaches a parable about the proper use of material wealth. He urges us to use our resources wisely, not for selfish gain, but to build relationships and store up treasures in heaven. Jesus also warns against the danger of greed and the impossibility of serving both God and money, emphasizing that our hearts must be aligned with God’s priorities.
The readings are connected by the theme of trust and faithfulness. In Romans, Paul trusts in God’s plan and the support of the community, while in the Gospel, Jesus calls us to trust in God’s providence rather than in wealth. Both readings challenge us to evaluate our priorities and ensure that our actions reflect our commitment to God. The early Christians in Rome were faithful in their support of Paul’s mission, and Jesus calls us to be faithful stewards of the resources we have been given. This faithfulness is not just about money but about how we live our lives in accordance with God’s will.
As we reflect on these readings, let us consider how we use the gifts and resources God has entrusted to us. Are we using them to build up the community and serve others, or are we allowing greed and selfishness to take root in our hearts? Let us strive to be faithful in small things, knowing that faithfulness in little leads to faithfulness in much. May we also cultivate gratitude for the people and blessings in our lives, just as Paul did. Ultimately, today’s readings remind us that our true treasure is not in this world but in the eternal life God promises us. Let us keep our eyes fixed on heaven and live in a way that reflects our ultimate allegiance to God.