Daily Readings - Thu Nov 15 2018

⁷Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.⁸Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do,⁹yet I appeal to you on the basis of love. I then, as Paul--an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus--¹⁰I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains.¹¹Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.¹²I am sending him--who is my very heart--back to you.¹³I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel.¹⁴But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do will be spontaneous and not forced.¹⁵Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back for good--¹⁶no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord.¹⁷So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me.¹⁸If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me.¹⁹I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back--not to mention that you owe me your very self.²⁰I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ.

Luke

Chapter 17

²⁰Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, "The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation,²¹nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the kingdom of God is within you."²²Then he said to his disciples, "The time is coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it.²³Men will tell you, 'There he is!' or 'Here he is!' Do not go running off after them.²⁴For the Son of Man in his day will be like the lightning, which flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other.²⁵But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.

Sermon

In today's readings, we are invited to reflect on the transformative power of faith and compassion. The letter to Philemon highlights Paul's heartfelt plea for Philemon to accept Onesimus, a former slave turned brother in Christ, emphasizing the equality and unity found in faith. This story illustrates how faith can change our perspectives and relationships, urging us to see others through the lens of compassion and shared humanity. In the Gospel, Jesus teaches that the Kingdom of God is not something to be awaited with grandeur but is already present among us. He warns against being deceived by false signs and reminds us that the Kingdom is within. This message calls us to recognize God's presence in our daily lives and in every person we encounter. Connecting these readings, we see a common theme of community and compassion. Just as Philemon is urged to see Onesimus as a brother, we too are called to recognize the divine spark in everyone. The Kingdom of God is not just a future hope but a present reality lived out in our interactions. As we navigate our daily lives, let us embody this Kingdom by treating others with love and respect, seeing Christ in each person we meet. This is the heart of our faith—unity and compassion in action.