Daily Readings - Fri Nov 10 2017
Romans
14I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another.15I have written you quite boldly on some points, as if to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me16to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles with the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.17Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God.18I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done--19by the power of signs and miracles, through the power of the Spirit. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.20It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else's foundation.21Rather, as it is written: "Those who were not told about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand."
Luke
1Jesus told his disciples: "There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions.2So he called him in and asked him, 'What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you cannot be manager any longer.'3"The manager said to himself, 'What shall I do now? My master is taking away my job. I'm not strong enough to dig, and I'm ashamed to beg--4I know what I'll do so that, when I lose my job here, people will welcome me into their houses.'5"So he called in each one of his master's debtors. He asked the first, 'How much do you owe my master?'6"'Eight hundred gallons of olive oil,' he replied. "The manager told him, 'Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it four hundred.'7"Then he asked the second, 'And how much do you owe?'"'A thousand bushels of wheat,' he replied. "He told him, 'Take your bill and make it eight hundred.'8"The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful lessons on responsibility and wisdom. The first reading from Romans highlights Paul's dedication to his mission, spreading the Gospel to the Gentiles with grace and commitment. He emphasizes not building on others' foundations, underscoring the importance of originality and sincerity in our callings. The Gospel, however, presents a more complex scenario through the parable of the unjust steward. This steward, faced with losing his position, cleverly reduces the debts of others to secure their favor, earning praise from his master for his prudence, despite his moral failings.
The context of these readings is rooted in their historical settings. Paul's letter to the Romans is a testament to the early Christian mission, focusing on the responsibility of spreading the Word. The parable in Luke uses a relatable scenario to teach about wisdom and resource management, highlighting the contrast between worldly prudence and spiritual integrity. Both readings emphasize the theme of stewardship—whether of spiritual responsibilities or material resources.
Applying these lessons to our daily lives, we are reminded to be prudent stewards of our talents and resources. Like Paul, we should embrace our unique callings with dedication and integrity. The parable encourages us to think strategically about how we use our resources, not just for immediate gains but for eternal benefits. However, it also cautions us to maintain moral integrity, ensuring that our prudence is guided by ethical principles.
The moral lesson here is clear: wisdom and responsibility go hand in hand. We must manage our resources and talents with foresight, using them to build a legacy that aligns with our values. Let us strive to be wise stewards, not just in our actions but in our character, ensuring that our prudence serves a higher purpose. In doing so, we honor our responsibilities and contribute to a greater good, both in this life and the next.