Daily Readings - Fri Sep 13 2019
1 Timothy
1Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;2Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.12And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;13Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.14And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
Luke
39And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?40The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.41And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?42Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful messages about grace, humility, and the importance of self-reflection. The first reading from 1 Timothy reveals Paul’s deep gratitude for the mercy he has received despite his past sins. Once a blasphemer and persecutor, Paul humbly acknowledges that God’s grace transformed his life, enabling him to become a minister of the Gospel. This passage reminds us that none of us are beyond God’s mercy and that our past does not define us when we turn to Him in faith.
The Gospel from Luke complements this message with Jesus’ teachings on hypocrisy and true leadership. Jesus warns against the dangers of judging others while ignoring our own faults, using the vivid image of a plank in one’s own eye. He emphasizes that we must first examine and correct ourselves before attempting to guide or correct others. This teaching calls us to humility and self-awareness, urging us to lead by example rather than by empty words.
Together, these readings invite us to reflect on our own lives. Like Paul, we are called to acknowledge our shortcomings and trust in God’s mercy. Like the disciples in the Gospel, we are challenged to lead with integrity, ensuring that our actions align with our words. In our daily lives, this means cultivating humility, seeking self-reflection, and embracing the grace that transforms us. Let us strive to be people of genuine faith, living in such a way that others may see the love of Christ shining through us.