Daily Readings - Tue Nov 07 2023
Romans
5So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.6Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;7Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;8Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.9Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.10Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;11Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;12Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;13Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.14Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.15Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.16Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
Luke
15And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.16Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:17And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.18And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.19And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.20And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.21So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.22And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.23And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.24For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.
Sermon
In today’s readings, St. Paul and Jesus remind us of the importance of living as members of God’s family, united in love and humility. In the first reading from Romans, Paul describes the Church as one body in Christ, where each member has a unique gift to contribute. He exhorts us to live with genuine love, to hate what is evil, and to cling to what is good. Paul emphasizes that our gifts are not for our own glory but for the service of others. He calls us to humility, simplicity, and fervor in our lives, urging us to rejoice in hope, endure in tribulation, and be constant in prayer. This passage invites us to reflect on how we use our talents and how we relate to one another in the Body of Christ.
In the Gospel, Jesus tells the parable of the great feast, where those who were invited made excuses and refused to come. The master, in his generosity, then invites the poor, the disabled, and the marginalized to fill his house. This parable is a powerful reminder that God’s invitation is universal, and no one should feel excluded from His love. It also warns us against becoming complacent or allowing worldly concerns to distract us from what truly matters—our relationship with God. Just as the master sent his servant to gather those who were overlooked, we are called to reach out to others, especially those on the peripheries, and to create an inclusive community where everyone feels welcome.
Both readings challenge us to live with humility and openness. Paul’s emphasis on unity and service reminds us that we are not isolated individuals but part of a larger family. Jesus’ parable calls us to prioritize God’s invitation above all else and to embrace those who are often forgotten. In our daily lives, let us ask ourselves: Are we using our gifts to serve others? Are we creating space for those who feel excluded? Let us strive to live with genuine love, humility, and a willingness to welcome others into the feast of God’s kingdom. May we not let excuses or distractions keep us from fully participating in the life God has called us to live.