Daily Readings - Sat Nov 06 2021

³Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:⁴Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.⁵Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.⁶Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us.⁷Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.⁸Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord.⁹Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved.¹⁶Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.²²I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord.²³Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother.²⁴The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.²⁵Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,²⁶But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:²⁷To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.

Luke

Chapter 16

⁹And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.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.¹⁴And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.¹⁵And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.

Sermon

The readings today remind us of the importance of gratitude, faithfulness, and the proper use of the resources we have been given. In the first reading from Romans, St. Paul offers a heartfelt greeting to various members of the early Christian community, acknowledging their contributions and expressing his deep appreciation for their support. This passage highlights the value of community and the bonds of love that unite believers in Christ. It also underscores the importance of recognizing and thanking those who have helped us on our journey of faith. In the Gospel, Jesus teaches us about the use of material wealth and the importance of faithfulness. He encourages us to use worldly resources wisely, not for selfish gain, but to build relationships that will last into eternal life. Jesus emphasizes that faithfulness in small matters is a sign of faithfulness in greater ones. He also warns against the temptation to serve two masters—God and mammon—reminding us that we cannot be divided in our allegiance. The Pharisees, who were consumed by greed, ridiculed Jesus’ teaching, but He made it clear that what is exalted by men is often detestable in God’s sight. These readings invite us to reflect on our own lives. Are we grateful for the people and blessings God has placed in our lives? Do we use the resources we have been given in a way that honors God and serves others? Let us strive to be faithful stewards of all that we have, whether great or small, and to prioritize our relationship with God above all else. May we cultivate hearts of gratitude and live in a way that reflects our ultimate allegiance to Christ, knowing that true wealth lies not in material possessions but in the eternal treasures of love, mercy, and faithfulness.