Daily Readings - Fri Nov 04 2022
Philippians
17Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.18For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:19Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)20For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:21Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
Luke
1And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods.2And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward.3Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed.4I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.5So he called every one of his lord's debtors unto him, and said unto the first, How much owest thou unto my lord?6And he said, An hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty.7Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, An hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and write fourscore.8And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are invited to reflect on our focus and actions in light of our eternal destiny. The first reading from Philippians encourages us to imitate Paul and live according to the Gospel, warning against a life centered on earthly desires. Paul reminds us that our true citizenship is in heaven, where we await Christ’s return to transform our bodies. This passage emphasizes living with a heavenly perspective, urging us to stand firm in our faith.
The Gospel parable of the dishonest steward challenges us to think about how we manage the resources entrusted to us. The steward, facing dismissal, secures his future by reducing the debts of others, earning his master’s praise for shrewdness. Jesus highlights that worldly people often handle their affairs more astutely than believers, prompting us to consider how we use our resources to build eternal treasures.
Both readings connect by urging us to live with intentionality and foresight. While the Philippians reading focuses on a heavenly orientation, the parable encourages prudent use of earthly resources for eternal gain. In our daily lives, this means making decisions that reflect our ultimate goal of heaven, using our resources wisely to serve others and build a lasting legacy. The moral lesson is clear: live with purpose, using your resources to glorify God and serve others, ensuring that your actions today lead to eternal rewards tomorrow.