Daily Readings - Tue Sep 16 2025
1 Timothy
1The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.2Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,3not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.4He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive,5for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church?6He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil.7Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.8Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain.9They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.10And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless.11Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things.12Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well.13For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
Luke
11Soon afterward he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a great crowd went with him.12As he drew near to the gate of the town, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow, and a considerable crowd from the town was with her.13And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep."14Then he came up and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, "Young man, I say to you, arise."15And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother.16Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has arisen among us!" and "God has visited his people!"17And this report about him spread through the whole of Judea and all the surrounding country.
Sermon
The readings today remind us of the importance of leadership, compassion, and faith in our lives. In the first reading from 1 Timothy, St. Paul outlines the qualities necessary for those who would serve the Church as bishops and deacons. He emphasizes virtues such as integrity, hospitality, and self-control, reminding us that those who lead the community of faith must first lead their own households well. This teaching is not just about Church hierarchy; it calls all of us to reflect on how we live out our faith in our families, workplaces, and communities. True leadership is not about power but about serving others with humility and grace.
In the Gospel, we see Jesus demonstrating the heart of a true leader. Moved by compassion for a widow who had lost her only son, Jesus steps into her sorrow and performs a miraculous act of love, raising the young man from the dead. This story shows us that Jesus is not only a prophet but also the one who brings life out of death. His actions remind us that faith and compassion go hand in hand. Just as the widow trusted in God’s providence, we are called to trust in His plan, even in the midst of suffering.
Both readings invite us to reflect on how we can live out our faith in practical ways. Whether in our roles as parents, friends, or members of the community, we are all called to lead with integrity and to serve others with compassion. Let us ask ourselves: Am I living in a way that reflects the virtues St. Paul describes? Am I open to allowing God to work through me to bring hope and healing to others? May we follow Jesus’ example, trusting in His power to transform lives and bringing light to those around us.