Daily Readings - Sun Sep 18 2022
Amos
4Hear this, O ye that swallow up the needy, even to make the poor of the land to fail,5Saying, When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn? and the sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit?6That we may buy the poor for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes; yea, and sell the refuse of the wheat?7The LORD hath sworn by the excellency of Jacob, Surely I will never forget any of their works.
1 Timothy
1I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;2For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.3For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;4Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.5For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;6Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.7Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.
Luke
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.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the relationship between faith, justice, and stewardship. In the first reading from Amos, we hear a powerful indictment of those who exploit the poor and manipulate economic systems for their own gain. Amos condemns the dishonest scales and the greed that leads people to prioritize profit over justice. This passage reminds us that God sees all injustices and will hold us accountable for how we treat the vulnerable. The context of Amos’ prophecy is a society that has forgotten its covenant with God, where the pursuit of wealth has overshadowed the call to live with integrity and compassion.
The second reading from 1 Timothy shifts our focus to the universal nature of salvation. Paul emphasizes that God desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. He urges us to pray for everyone, especially those in positions of power, so that we might live peaceful and godly lives. This reading reminds us that our faith is not just about personal salvation but also about contributing to the common good. It calls us to be people of prayer, interceding for others and trusting in God’s plan to bring all people to himself.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches us about the importance of faithfulness in small things and the danger of serving two masters. He warns that we cannot serve both God and wealth. This passage challenges us to examine how we use the resources entrusted to us. Are we faithful stewards of what belongs to God, or are we consumed by a desire for more? The readings together remind us that our relationship with money and material possessions is a spiritual issue. We are called to live with integrity, to seek justice, and to trust in God’s providence rather than in wealth.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: How do I use the resources I have? Do I prioritize justice and compassion, or am I tempted by greed and exploitation? Let us pray for the grace to live simply, to trust in God, and to serve him alone. May we be faithful in small things, knowing that our actions have eternal consequences.