Daily Readings - Tue Nov 13 2018
Titus
1But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:2That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.3The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;4That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,5To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.6Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.7In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,8Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.11For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,12Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;13Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;14Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Luke
7But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat?8And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?9Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not.10So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are reminded of the importance of living out our faith with integrity, humility, and a deep commitment to serving others. The first reading from Titus emphasizes the need for all members of the Christian community—old and young, men and women—to live in a way that reflects sound doctrine and moral virtue. It calls us to self-control, kindness, and a life of good works, not for personal gain or recognition, but because it is who we are as followers of Christ. The Gospel from Luke complements this message by highlighting the attitude with which we should serve. Jesus teaches us that true service is not about seeking praise or gratitude but about faithfully fulfilling our duties as disciples. When we have done all that is required of us, we should humbly acknowledge that we have only done what was expected of us.
The readings are deeply connected in their emphasis on living out our faith in a way that is both virtuous and humble. Titus provides a broader vision of what it means to live a life shaped by the Gospel, while Luke narrows in on the posture of the heart that should accompany such a life. Together, they remind us that our faith is not just about what we believe but about how we live. The grace of God, as Titus says, has appeared to all people, instructing us to live soberly, justly, and devoutly in this age. This grace is not just a gift to us but also a call to live in a way that reflects the transformative power of God in our lives.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves how we are living out our faith in our daily lives. Are we striving to be examples of integrity and virtue in our families, workplaces, and communities? Do we serve others with humility, recognizing that our efforts are not for our own glory but for the glory of God? Let us embrace the call to live as people who are “zealous for good works,” not seeking praise but simply doing what is right because we belong to Christ. In doing so, we fulfill our duty as His disciples and bear witness to the grace that has been given to us.