Daily Readings - Wed Nov 14 2018
Titus
1Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,2To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.3For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.4But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,5Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;6Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;7That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Luke
11And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.12And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:13And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.14And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.15And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,16And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.17And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?18There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.19And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound lessons on grace, gratitude, and the transformation of the human heart. The first reading from Titus reminds us of our call to live virtuous lives, obeying authorities and avoiding malice, as we were once lost in sin but saved by God's mercy through the Holy Spirit. The Gospel from Luke narrates the healing of ten lepers, with only the Samaritan returning to thank Jesus, highlighting the importance of gratitude and faith.
The context of Titus is a pastoral letter guiding Christians on living harmoniously in society, emphasizing obedience and kindness. Luke's Gospel, set during Jesus' journey to Jerusalem, illustrates His compassionate ministry and the response of gratitude from a Samaritan, a foreigner, underscoring that true faith transcends boundaries.
Both readings intertwine the themes of God's grace and our response. Titus focuses on internal transformation through mercy, while Luke's narrative shows the external act of thanksgiving. This teaches us to acknowledge God's grace in our lives and respond with heartfelt gratitude. In our daily lives, let us practice thanksgiving, recognizing God's mercy and living virtuously, ensuring that our faith is not just in our hearts but also in our actions.