Daily Readings - Thu Sep 18 2025
1 Timothy
12Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.13Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.14Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you.15Practice these things, devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress.16Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.
Luke
36One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and took his place at the table.37And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment,38and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment.39Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner."40And Jesus answering said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." And he answered, "Say it, Teacher."41"A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.42When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?"43Simon answered, "The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt." And he said to him, "You have judged rightly."44Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.45You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet.46You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment.47Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven--for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little."48And he said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."49Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, "Who is this, who even forgives sins?"50And he said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."
Sermon
In today's readings, we are invited to reflect on the essence of faith and love. The first reading from 1 Timothy encourages us to be examples of faith, using the gifts God has entrusted to us, and to focus on doctrine and self-improvement. This letter, part of Paul's guidance to Timothy, emphasizes the importance of living out our faith in both word and deed. The Gospel from Luke presents a vivid scene where a sinful woman anoints Jesus' feet, teaching us about the transformative power of love and forgiveness.
The context of these readings is significant. 1 Timothy is a pastoral letter guiding Timothy in his role as a leader, urging him to embody faith and virtue. In Luke's Gospel, the setting is a Pharisee's house, highlighting the contrast between the Pharisee's judgment and Jesus' compassionate forgiveness. Both readings connect through their themes of faith and love, showing how these virtues should be lived out in our actions and interactions.
In our daily lives, these readings remind us to live out our faith actively. We are called to use our gifts and talents to serve others, just as Timothy was advised. The story of the sinful woman teaches us about humility and the depth of God's forgiveness. It encourages us to approach life with a loving heart, recognizing that our capacity to love is closely tied to our experience of being forgiven.
The moral lesson here is clear: our faith is not just about belief but about how we live it out. By embracing humility, practicing forgiveness, and expressing love, we reflect God's grace in the world. Let us strive to be examples of faith, just as Timothy was encouraged, and to love deeply, as the sinful woman did, trusting that our faith will bring us salvation and peace.