Daily Readings - Sat Nov 11 2023

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.

Luke

Chapter 16

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.