Daily Readings - Fri Sep 10 2021
1 Timothy
1Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;2Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.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.
Luke
39And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?40The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.41And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?42Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful messages of grace, humility, and self-awareness. The First Reading from 1 Timothy reveals Paul's heartfelt gratitude to God for transforming him from a blasphemer and persecutor into a faithful servant of the Gospel. This passage underscores the boundless mercy of God, who sees beyond our past mistakes and equips us for His purpose. Paul's journey reminds us that our worth is not defined by our past but by God's grace and our willingness to serve Him.
The Gospel from Luke presents Jesus teaching about the dangers of hypocrisy. Using the parable of the blind leading the blind and the log in one's own eye, Jesus emphasizes the importance of self-reflection. He calls us to examine our own shortcomings before addressing those of others, highlighting the need for humility and authenticity in our interactions. This teaching challenges us to look inward, acknowledging our own faults, before attempting to correct others.
Together, these readings invite us to embrace a life of grace and humility. Paul's transformation illustrates God's mercy, while Jesus' teaching reminds us to approach others with compassion and self-awareness. As we apply these lessons to our daily lives, let us first examine our own hearts, allowing God's grace to transform us. Only then can we effectively guide and support others, living out our faith with humility and love.