Daily Readings - Sat Nov 17 2018
3 John
5Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;6Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well:7Because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.8We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.
Luke
1And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;2Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:3And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.4And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;5Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.6And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.7And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?8I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
Sermon
In today's readings, we are reminded of the power of faithfulness and persistence. The first reading from 3 John encourages us to act faithfully by supporting one another, especially those who serve in God's name. This letter emphasizes the importance of hospitality and mutual aid within the early Christian community, highlighting how our actions reflect our commitment to God. The Gospel from Luke presents the parable of the persistent widow, teaching us about the necessity of continuous prayer and trust in God's justice.
The context of these readings is rooted in the early Christian experience. John's letter addresses a community that relied on each other for support, especially missionaries who traveled to spread the Gospel. Luke's parable, set in a time when Jesus was preparing his disciples for his departure, underscores the importance of perseverance in prayer, even when faced with challenges or delays. Both readings stress the importance of living out our faith through consistent actions and unwavering trust in God.
These readings are closely connected, as they both emphasize faithfulness and persistence. In 3 John, faithfulness is demonstrated through tangible acts of love and support for others. In Luke's parable, persistence in prayer mirrors the widow's relentless pursuit of justice. Together, they call us to live out our faith in both action and prayer, trusting that God hears us and will act in His time.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to reflect on how we embody faithfulness and persistence. Do we support one another with the same generosity and hospitality that John commends? Do we pray with the same relentless trust as the widow, even when our prayers seem unanswered? Let us strive to live with such faithfulness, knowing that our actions and prayers are not in vain.
As we reflect on these readings, let us remember that our faith is not passive but active. It calls us to care for others and to pray without ceasing, trusting that God will bring justice and vindication. May we, like the widow, persist in prayer and, like the early Christians, support one another in love and faith. In doing so, we live out the truth of the Gospel and bear witness to God's presence in our world.