Daily Readings - Mon Nov 11 2024

¹Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness,²in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began³and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior;⁴To Titus, my true child in a common faith:Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.⁵This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you--⁶if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination.⁷For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain,⁸but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.⁹He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

Luke

Chapter 17

¹And he said to his disciples, "Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come!²It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin.³Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him,⁴and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, 'I repent,' you must forgive him."⁵The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!"⁶And the Lord said, "If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you.

Sermon

The readings today invite us to reflect on the qualities of leadership, the importance of forgiveness, and the power of faith. In the first reading from Titus, St. Paul outlines the characteristics of a bishop, emphasizing integrity, humility, and hospitality. These qualities are not just for church leaders but are virtues we all should strive for in our own lives. The Gospel from Luke challenges us to think about how we treat others, especially the vulnerable, and how we respond to wrongdoing. Jesus warns against causing scandals and emphasizes the need for forgiveness, even when someone wrongs us repeatedly. He also reminds us that faith, no matter how small, can move mountains. The connection between the readings lies in their focus on living out our faith in practical ways. Titus reminds us that our actions must align with our beliefs, while Luke’s Gospel calls us to live with compassion and humility. Together, they highlight the importance of integrity and mercy in our relationships with others. These teachings are not abstract; they are meant to shape how we interact with the world around us. Whether we are leaders or not, we are all called to live in a way that reflects God’s love and truth. In our daily lives, let us strive to embody the qualities St. Paul describes—being honest, kind, and just. Let us also remember Jesus’ call to forgive generously, even when it is difficult. Faith, even as small as a mustard seed, can give us the strength to forgive, to lead with integrity, and to trust in God’s plan. May we use our faith to build up one another and to create a world that reflects God’s love and mercy.