Daily Readings - Sat Nov 08 2025

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 that invite us to reflect on our relationship with God and with one another. The first reading from Romans is a beautiful expression of gratitude and unity within the early Christian community. Paul greets various individuals and families, acknowledging their contributions to the faith and expressing deep appreciation for their support. This passage reminds us that the Church is not just an institution but a family bound together by love and shared purpose. The reading concludes with a doxology, a hymn of praise to God, who alone is wise and worthy of eternal glory. The Gospel from Luke presents a different tone, as Jesus challenges us to think critically about our priorities. He urges us to use worldly resources wisely, not for selfish gain, but to build relationships that will endure beyond this life. Jesus emphasizes faithfulness in small things, teaching that our trustworthiness in little matters reflects our character in greater ones. He then confronts the temptation of greed, warning that we cannot serve both God and money. The Pharisees, who were consumed by materialism, ridicule Jesus’ words, but He reminds them—and us—that what matters most is not human approval but the judgment of God, who sees into the depths of our hearts. These readings call us to live with integrity and purpose. The example of the early Christian community in Romans shows us the importance of gratitude, collaboration, and mutual support. We are reminded that our faith is not a solitary journey but one lived out in communion with others. From Luke, we learn the necessity of prioritizing God above all else, using the resources we have—time, talent, and treasure—to serve Him and others. Let us strive to be faithful in small ways each day, knowing that these actions shape who we are and prepare us for greater things. May we also avoid the trap of greed, instead choosing to live simply, generously, and with hearts fixed on eternal truths.