Daily Readings - Sat Nov 11 2023

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

In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful messages about faith, gratitude, and the right use of resources. In the first reading from Romans, Paul sends greetings to various members of the early Christian community, expressing deep gratitude for their support and acknowledging their contributions to the spread of the Gospel. He concludes with a beautiful doxology, praising God for His wisdom and eternal plan. This passage reminds us of the importance of community, collaboration, and recognizing the role each person plays in the Body of Christ. In the Gospel, Jesus teaches a parable about the proper use of material wealth. He urges us to use our resources wisely, not for selfish gain, but to build relationships and store up treasures in heaven. Jesus also warns against the danger of greed and the impossibility of serving both God and money, emphasizing that our hearts must be aligned with God’s priorities. The readings are connected by the theme of trust and faithfulness. In Romans, Paul trusts in God’s plan and the support of the community, while in the Gospel, Jesus calls us to trust in God’s providence rather than in wealth. Both readings challenge us to evaluate our priorities and ensure that our actions reflect our commitment to God. The early Christians in Rome were faithful in their support of Paul’s mission, and Jesus calls us to be faithful stewards of the resources we have been given. This faithfulness is not just about money but about how we live our lives in accordance with God’s will. As we reflect on these readings, let us consider how we use the gifts and resources God has entrusted to us. Are we using them to build up the community and serve others, or are we allowing greed and selfishness to take root in our hearts? Let us strive to be faithful in small things, knowing that faithfulness in little leads to faithfulness in much. May we also cultivate gratitude for the people and blessings in our lives, just as Paul did. Ultimately, today’s readings remind us that our true treasure is not in this world but in the eternal life God promises us. Let us keep our eyes fixed on heaven and live in a way that reflects our ultimate allegiance to God.