Daily Readings - Sat Nov 14 2020

⁵Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;⁶Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well:⁷Because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.⁸We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.

Luke

Chapter 18

¹And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;²Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:³And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.⁴And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;⁵Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.⁶And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.⁷And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?⁸I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

Sermon

In today’s readings, we are reminded of the importance of faith, perseverance, and hospitality. The first reading from 3 John encourages us to act faithfully and generously toward our brothers and sisters in Christ, especially those who are traveling or in need. The author emphasizes the importance of supporting those who are spreading the Gospel, as their work is a testament to God’s truth. This passage calls us to live out our faith through tangible acts of charity and hospitality, reflecting the love of God in our interactions with others. The Gospel from Luke presents us with the parable of the persistent widow, who repeatedly petitions the unjust judge for justice. Despite the judge’s initial refusal, the widow’s relentless pursuit eventually moves him to act. Jesus uses this parable to teach us about the necessity of persistent prayer. Just as the widow did not give up, we too must trust in God’s providence and continue to pray, even when our prayers seem unanswered. The parable also challenges us to reflect on our own faith—will we still be praying and trusting in God when he returns? These readings are deeply connected. Both emphasize the importance of perseverance and trust in God’s plan. Just as the widow’s persistence ultimately leads to justice, our persistent prayer and faithful actions will bear fruit in God’s time. In our daily lives, we are called to live with the same determination and hope. Let us strive to be people of prayer, trusting that God hears us and will act. At the same time, let us be people of action, living out our faith by supporting one another and spreading the truth of the Gospel. May we grow in faith and perseverance, trusting that God will bring justice and peace to our world.