Daily Readings - Sat Sep 13 2025
1 Timothy
15This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.16Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.17Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Luke
43For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.44For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.45A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.46And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?47Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:48He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.49But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.
Sermon
In today's readings, we are reminded of the profound mercy of God and the importance of living out our faith. The first reading from 1 Timothy emphasizes that Christ came to save sinners, with Paul humbly acknowledging himself as the foremost sinner. Yet, through God's mercy, Paul became an example of patience for others, illustrating that no one is beyond redemption. The Gospel from Luke uses the parable of the trees and the two builders to highlight that our actions reflect our inner state. A good tree bears good fruit, and a house built on rock endures, symbolizing the importance of acting on God's teachings.
Both readings underscore the transformative power of God's mercy and the necessity of living according to His will. Paul's experience shows that mercy is not just forgiveness but also a call to share that grace with others. Similarly, Luke's parable teaches us that merely hearing God's word is insufficient; we must act on it, building our spiritual lives on the solid foundation of faith.
In our daily lives, this means acknowledging our sinfulness and embracing God's mercy. We must allow this grace to transform us, leading us to act with love and integrity. Just as a tree is known by its fruit, our actions reveal our true character. Let us strive to build our lives on the rock of faith, ensuring that our deeds reflect the mercy and love we have received. By doing so, we become living testimonies of God's grace, enduring life's challenges with resilience and hope.