Daily Readings - Mon Nov 07 2022

¹Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;²In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;³But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;⁴To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.⁵For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:⁶If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.⁷For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;⁸But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;⁹Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

Luke

Chapter 17

¹Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!²It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.³Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.⁴And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.⁵And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.⁶And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.

Sermon

In today's readings, we are reminded of the essential qualities that guide our faith and interactions with others. The first reading from Titus outlines the characteristics of church leaders, emphasizing moral integrity and faithfulness. This passage, part of Paul's pastoral epistles, was written to Titus, who was tasked with organizing early Christian communities in Crete. Paul stresses that leaders must embody virtues such as hospitality and justice, reflecting the church's commitment to truth and piety. The Gospel from Luke complements this by focusing on community life and the disciples' relationship with each other. Jesus teaches about avoiding scandals, especially those that lead others astray, and the importance of forgiveness. He also addresses the disciples' request to increase their faith, illustrating that even a small amount of faith can lead to significant changes, much like a mustard seed that grows into a mighty tree. Together, these readings highlight the interplay between personal integrity and communal faith. Applying these teachings to our daily lives, we are called to live with integrity, recognizing how our actions impact others. Forgiveness and faith are vital in maintaining healthy relationships and trusting in God's plan. The moral lesson here is clear: our faith, no matter how small, coupled with a commitment to integrity and forgiveness, can lead to profound transformations. As we reflect on these readings, let us strive to embody these virtues, fostering a community grounded in love and trust in God.