Daily Readings - Wed Oct 23 2019
Romans
12Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.13Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness.14For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.15What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means!16Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey--whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?17But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted.18You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.
Luke
39But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into.40You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him."41Peter asked, "Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to everyone?"42The Lord answered, "Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time?43It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns.44I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.45But suppose the servant says to himself, 'My master is taking a long time in coming,' and he then begins to beat the menservants and maidservants and to eat and drink and get drunk.46The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers.47"That servant who knows his master's will and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants will be beaten with many blows.48But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the call to live as faithful stewards of God’s grace and to remain vigilant in our spiritual lives. In the first reading from Romans, St. Paul urges us to resist the reign of sin in our lives and instead offer ourselves to God as instruments of justice. He reminds us that we are not under the law but under grace, and this grace calls us to live in obedience to God’s will. The Gospel from Luke reinforces this message through the parable of the faithful steward. Jesus teaches that we must be prepared for the Lord’s return, living with integrity and fidelity in our responsibilities. The parable warns against complacency and the misuse of the gifts and talents entrusted to us, emphasizing that much will be required from those to whom much has been given.
Both readings are connected by the theme of accountability and stewardship. In Romans, Paul focuses on the personal dimension of living a life transformed by grace, while Luke’s parable broadens this to include our responsibilities toward others and the gifts we have received. Together, they remind us that our faith is not merely a private matter but a call to live in a way that reflects our commitment to God and to the well-being of those around us. The readings also highlight the importance of vigilance and preparedness, urging us to live each day with the awareness that we are called to give an account of our lives.
As we apply these readings to our daily lives, let us ask ourselves: How am I using the gifts and talents God has given me? Am I living in a way that reflects my obedience to God’s will, or am I allowing sin to take root in my life? The moral lesson here is clear: our lives are not our own, and we are called to be faithful stewards of all that God has entrusted to us. Let us strive to live with integrity, generosity, and a deep awareness of God’s presence in our lives. By doing so, we will not only fulfill our responsibilities but also grow in holiness and prepare ourselves for the day when we will stand before the Lord.