Daily Catholic Mass Readings for November 12, 2024
First Reading: Titus 2.1-8, 11-14
1But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:2That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.3The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;4That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,5To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.6Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.7In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,8Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.11For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,12Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;13Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;14Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Psalm 37
1Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.2For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.3Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.4Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.5Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.6And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.7Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.8Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.9For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.10For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.11But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.12The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.13The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.14The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation.15Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.16A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.17For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous.18The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever.19They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.20But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the LORD shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away.21The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.22For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off.23The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.24Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.25I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.26He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.27Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.28For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.29The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.30The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.31The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.32The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him.33The LORD will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.34Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.35I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.36Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.37Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.38But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.39But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble.40And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.
Gospel: Luke 17.7-10
7But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat?8And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?9Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not.10So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.
Sermon
The readings today offer us a powerful reflection on living a life of virtue and humility. In the first reading from Titus, we are reminded of the importance of sound doctrine and the behavior expected of believers. The apostle Paul outlines how older men, women, and young men should conduct themselves—soberly, prudently, and with integrity. He emphasizes that our actions should reflect the grace of God, who has called us to live lives that are “sober, upright, and godly” in this age. This passage is a call to all of us to live in a way that honors God and avoids scandal, so that His Word may not be discredited.
The Gospel from Luke complements this message with a parable about a servant and his master. Jesus asks us to consider the relationship between a servant who has fulfilled their duties and the master who expects nothing less. The servant does not seek praise for doing what is expected but humbly acknowledges that they have only done their duty. This parable challenges us to embrace a spirit of humility and gratitude in our service to God and others. True service is not about seeking recognition but about faithfully fulfilling what is required of us, knowing that everything we have and do is a gift from God.
Together, these readings invite us to reflect on how we live out our faith in daily life. Are we striving to live with integrity and virtue, as Titus encourages? Are we serving others with humility and gratitude, as Jesus teaches? Let us remember that our ultimate purpose is not to seek praise or reward but to glorify God in all that we do. May we embrace the grace of God, which has been poured out upon us, and live in a way that reflects His love and truth. In doing so, we become the kind of people who bring light and hope to a world in need.