Daily Readings - Mon Nov 06 2017
Romans
29for God's gifts and his call are irrevocable.30Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience,31so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may now receive mercy as a result of God's mercy to you.32For God has bound all men over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.33Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!34"Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?"35"Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?"36For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.
Luke
12Then Jesus said to his host, "When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid.13But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind,14and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."
Sermon
The first reading from Romans reminds us of God’s boundless mercy and the mystery of His ways. Paul reflects on how God’s gifts and call are irrevocable, and how His mercy extends to all, even when humanity falls short. He emphasizes that God’s wisdom and judgments are beyond human comprehension, and that all things come from Him, through Him, and for Him. This passage invites us to trust in God’s plan, even when it seems unclear, and to recognize that His mercy is available to everyone.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches about the importance of humility and generosity. He advises against inviting only those who can repay us, whether through social status or material wealth. Instead, He calls us to invite those who are marginalized—the poor, the disabled, the lame, and the blind. Jesus promises that our reward will come in the resurrection of the just, reminding us that true generosity is selfless and rooted in love, not in expectation of reciprocity.
Both readings challenge us to reflect on how we live out God’s mercy in our daily lives. Paul’s words encourage us to embrace the mystery of God’s ways and to trust in His plan, while Jesus’ teaching calls us to act with humility and compassion. In a world often driven by reciprocity and self-interest, these readings remind us to live differently: to trust in God’s providence and to love without expecting anything in return. Let us strive to imitate God’s boundless mercy by serving others selflessly, knowing that our ultimate reward lies in eternal life with Him.