Daily Readings - Wed Oct 23 2019
Romans
12Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.13Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.14For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.15What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.16Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?17But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.18Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
Luke
39And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through.40Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.41Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all?42And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?43Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.44Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.45But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;46The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.47And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.48But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the call to live as faithful stewards of God’s grace and to remain vigilant in our spiritual lives. In the first reading from Romans, St. Paul urges us to resist the reign of sin in our lives and instead offer ourselves to God as instruments of justice. He reminds us that we are not under the law but under grace, and this grace calls us to live in obedience to God’s will. The Gospel from Luke reinforces this message through the parable of the faithful steward. Jesus teaches that we must be prepared for the Lord’s return, living with integrity and fidelity in our responsibilities. The parable warns against complacency and the misuse of the gifts and talents entrusted to us, emphasizing that much will be required from those to whom much has been given.
Both readings are connected by the theme of accountability and stewardship. In Romans, Paul focuses on the personal dimension of living a life transformed by grace, while Luke’s parable broadens this to include our responsibilities toward others and the gifts we have received. Together, they remind us that our faith is not merely a private matter but a call to live in a way that reflects our commitment to God and to the well-being of those around us. The readings also highlight the importance of vigilance and preparedness, urging us to live each day with the awareness that we are called to give an account of our lives.
As we apply these readings to our daily lives, let us ask ourselves: How am I using the gifts and talents God has given me? Am I living in a way that reflects my obedience to God’s will, or am I allowing sin to take root in my life? The moral lesson here is clear: our lives are not our own, and we are called to be faithful stewards of all that God has entrusted to us. Let us strive to live with integrity, generosity, and a deep awareness of God’s presence in our lives. By doing so, we will not only fulfill our responsibilities but also grow in holiness and prepare ourselves for the day when we will stand before the Lord.