Daily Readings - Sun Sep 15 2019
Exodus
7And the LORD said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves:8They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.9And the LORD said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people:10Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation.11And Moses besought the LORD his God, and said, LORD, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand?13Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit it for ever.14And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.
1 Timothy
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.15This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.16Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.17Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Luke
1Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.2And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.3And he spake this parable unto them, saying,4What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?5And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.6And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.7I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.8Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?9And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.10Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
Sermon
The readings today remind us of God’s boundless mercy and love for sinners, as well as his desire to seek out those who have wandered away from him. In the first reading from Exodus, Moses intercedes for the Israelites after they turn to idolatry by worshiping the golden calf. Despite their sin, God’s anger is calmed by Moses’ prayer, showing that even in our failures, God’s mercy triumphs. The second reading from 1 Timothy highlights Paul’s personal testimony of receiving God’s mercy despite his past as a persecutor of Christians. He humbly acknowledges that he was once a sinner but was transformed by God’s grace, emphasizing that Christ came to save sinners. The Gospel from Luke uses two parables—the lost sheep and the lost coin—to illustrate God’s joy in seeking and finding those who are lost. These parables challenge us to reflect on our own relationship with God and to see ourselves as both sinners in need of mercy and as agents of God’s love in the world.
These readings are deeply connected by the theme of divine mercy and the call to repentance. The Exodus story shows God’s willingness to forgive his people even when they fail, while Paul’s testimony in 1 Timothy reminds us that none of us are beyond the reach of God’s grace. The parables in Luke’s Gospel extend this idea, teaching us that God actively seeks out the lost and rejoices when they return to him. Together, these readings invite us to reflect on our own sinfulness and to trust in God’s love, which is always ready to welcome us back. They also remind us that we are called to imitate God’s mercy by seeking out and loving those who feel lost or marginalized.
In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to approach God with humility and openness, acknowledging our sins and trusting in his forgiveness. They also call us to be instruments of God’s mercy in the lives of others—whether through a kind word, a listening ear, or a willingness to forgive. Let us remember that we are all sinners in need of God’s grace, and that the greatest joy is not in being righteous but in repenting and returning to the Father’s love. May we, like Moses and Paul, intercede for others and share in the joy of God’s mercy, knowing that we are all part of his flock, his treasure, and his beloved children.