Daily Readings - Sun Sep 22 2019
Amos
4Hear this, you who trample the needy and do away with the poor of the land,5saying, "When will the New Moon be over that we may sell grain, and the Sabbath be ended that we may market wheat?"- skimping the measure, boosting the price and cheating with dishonest scales,6buying the poor with silver and the needy for a pair of sandals, selling even the sweepings with the wheat.7The LORD has sworn by the Pride of Jacob: "I will never forget anything they have done.
1 Timothy
1I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone--2for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.3This is good, and pleases God our Savior,4who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.5For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,6who gave himself as a ransom for all men--the testimony given in its proper time.7And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle--I am telling the truth, I am not lying--and a teacher of the true faith to the Gentiles.
Luke
10"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.11So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?12And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else's property, who will give you property of your own?13"No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on faithfulness, justice, and the ultimate priority of our lives. In the first reading from Amos, we hear a powerful indictment of those who exploit the poor and manipulate economic systems for their gain. Amos condemns the greed and dishonesty of those who cheat others, even in small ways, and reminds us that God sees all and will not forget such injustices. This prophet’s words challenge us to examine how we treat others, especially the vulnerable, in our daily interactions and business dealings.
The second reading from 1 Timothy shifts our focus to prayer and the universal will of God for salvation. Paul emphasizes that our prayers should extend to all people, even those in positions of power, so that we might live peaceful and holy lives. This reminds us that our faith is not just about personal piety but also about interceding for others and trusting in God’s plan to bring all people to truth. Christ, as the one mediator between God and humanity, is the ultimate expression of this plan.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches us about faithfulness in small things and the impossibility of serving both God and money. He warns that our handling of material wealth reveals our true priorities and trustworthiness. If we are not faithful with what belongs to others, how can we expect to be entrusted with true spiritual riches? This teaching calls us to reevaluate our relationship with money and possessions, ensuring that they do not distract us from our ultimate allegiance to God.
These readings together remind us that our faith must be lived out in concrete ways. Amos calls us to justice and integrity in our dealings with others, while 1 Timothy encourages us to pray for all people, trusting in God’s universal plan. Luke’s Gospel challenges us to examine our priorities, ensuring that our hearts are not divided between God and material wealth. Let us strive to live lives marked by faithfulness, justice, and a single-minded devotion to God.