Daily Readings - Sun Sep 22 2019
Amos
4Hear this, O ye that swallow up the needy, even to make the poor of the land to fail,5Saying, When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn? and the sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit?6That we may buy the poor for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes; yea, and sell the refuse of the wheat?7The LORD hath sworn by the excellency of Jacob, Surely I will never forget any of their works.
1 Timothy
1I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;2For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.3For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;4Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.5For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;6Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.7Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.
Luke
10He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.11If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?12And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?13No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on faithfulness, justice, and the ultimate priority of our lives. In the first reading from Amos, we hear a powerful indictment of those who exploit the poor and manipulate economic systems for their gain. Amos condemns the greed and dishonesty of those who cheat others, even in small ways, and reminds us that God sees all and will not forget such injustices. This prophet’s words challenge us to examine how we treat others, especially the vulnerable, in our daily interactions and business dealings.
The second reading from 1 Timothy shifts our focus to prayer and the universal will of God for salvation. Paul emphasizes that our prayers should extend to all people, even those in positions of power, so that we might live peaceful and holy lives. This reminds us that our faith is not just about personal piety but also about interceding for others and trusting in God’s plan to bring all people to truth. Christ, as the one mediator between God and humanity, is the ultimate expression of this plan.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches us about faithfulness in small things and the impossibility of serving both God and money. He warns that our handling of material wealth reveals our true priorities and trustworthiness. If we are not faithful with what belongs to others, how can we expect to be entrusted with true spiritual riches? This teaching calls us to reevaluate our relationship with money and possessions, ensuring that they do not distract us from our ultimate allegiance to God.
These readings together remind us that our faith must be lived out in concrete ways. Amos calls us to justice and integrity in our dealings with others, while 1 Timothy encourages us to pray for all people, trusting in God’s universal plan. Luke’s Gospel challenges us to examine our priorities, ensuring that our hearts are not divided between God and material wealth. Let us strive to live lives marked by faithfulness, justice, and a single-minded devotion to God.