Daily Readings - Wed Sep 23 2020
Proverbs
5Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.6Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.7Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die:8Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:9Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.
Luke
1Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.2And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.3And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.4And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart.5And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them.6And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where.
Sermon
In today's readings, we are invited to reflect on trust in God and simplicity of life. The first reading from Proverbs reminds us to trust in God's wisdom and provision, avoiding the extremes of wealth and poverty. It encourages us to be content with what is necessary, fostering a deep faith that God will provide. The Gospel from Luke shows Jesus sending out the apostles with nothing, teaching them to rely solely on God's grace and the kindness of others. This mission emphasizes trust and detachment from material possessions.
Both readings highlight the importance of trusting in God's providence. Proverbs, part of the wisdom literature, teaches us to seek balance and contentment, while Luke's passage illustrates the early Christian community's reliance on faith. The apostles' mission demonstrates that true strength comes from God, not from what we possess.
In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to embrace simplicity and trust in God's plan. We are reminded not to be controlled by material wealth but to find joy in what is essential. Let us pray for the grace to trust God fully, living with gratitude and contentment, and may our faith guide us in all we do.