Daily Readings - Mon Nov 12 2018
Titus
1Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God's elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness--2a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time,3and at his appointed season he brought his word to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior,4To Titus, my true son in our common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.5The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.6An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient.7Since an overseer is entrusted with God's work, he must be blameless--not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain.8Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined.9He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.
Luke
1Jesus said to his disciples: "Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to that person through whom they come.2It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin.3So watch yourselves. "If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him.4If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, 'I repent,' forgive him."5The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!"6He replied, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it will obey you.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the qualities of leadership, the importance of living out our faith with integrity, and the call to forgive and grow in faith. In the first reading from Titus, St. Paul outlines the characteristics of a bishop, emphasizing that he must be a man of faith, integrity, and moral uprightness. This passage reminds us that leadership in the Church is not about power or prestige but about serving God and His people with humility and truth. The bishop, as a steward of God, must be an example of sound doctrine and virtuous living, guiding others on the path to holiness.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches His disciples about the inevitability of scandals but warns that causing them, especially to the "little ones," is a grave sin. He calls His followers to be attentive to their own actions and to correct one another with love when they see sin. Forgiveness, Jesus emphasizes, must be generous and unconditional, even when someone offends us repeatedly. The disciples, recognizing the difficulty of living out such a radical call, ask for an increase in faith. Jesus responds by teaching that even a small amount of faith can accomplish great things, as long as it is rooted in trust and obedience to God.
These readings are deeply connected. Both emphasize the importance of living out our faith in a way that reflects God’s truth and love. The first reading challenges us to look at how we lead and serve others, whether in formal roles or in our everyday lives. The Gospel, on the other hand, calls us to examine our relationships and our willingness to forgive and grow in faith. Together, they remind us that our faith is not just a set of beliefs but a way of life that must be lived with integrity, compassion, and trust in God. As we strive to live out our faith, let us ask for the grace to be good stewards of God’s truth, to forgive generously, and to trust in the power of even a small amount of faith to transform our lives and the world around us.