Daily Readings - Mon Nov 11 2024

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

The readings today invite us to reflect on the qualities of leadership, the importance of forgiveness, and the power of faith. In the first reading from Titus, St. Paul outlines the characteristics of a bishop, emphasizing integrity, humility, and hospitality. These qualities are not just for church leaders but are virtues we all should strive for in our own lives. The Gospel from Luke challenges us to think about how we treat others, especially the vulnerable, and how we respond to wrongdoing. Jesus warns against causing scandals and emphasizes the need for forgiveness, even when someone wrongs us repeatedly. He also reminds us that faith, no matter how small, can move mountains. The connection between the readings lies in their focus on living out our faith in practical ways. Titus reminds us that our actions must align with our beliefs, while Luke’s Gospel calls us to live with compassion and humility. Together, they highlight the importance of integrity and mercy in our relationships with others. These teachings are not abstract; they are meant to shape how we interact with the world around us. Whether we are leaders or not, we are all called to live in a way that reflects God’s love and truth. In our daily lives, let us strive to embody the qualities St. Paul describes—being honest, kind, and just. Let us also remember Jesus’ call to forgive generously, even when it is difficult. Faith, even as small as a mustard seed, can give us the strength to forgive, to lead with integrity, and to trust in God’s plan. May we use our faith to build up one another and to create a world that reflects God’s love and mercy.