Daily Readings - Fri Nov 06 2020
Philippians
17Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you.18For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.19Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things.20But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,21who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
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
The readings today invite us to reflect on how we live our lives in light of our ultimate destiny. In the first reading from Philippians, St. Paul urges us to stand firm in our faith and to imitate those who live according to the Gospel. He warns against being consumed by earthly desires and reminds us that our true citizenship is in heaven, where we await the return of Christ, who will transform our bodies and make them glorious like his own. This passage calls us to keep our eyes fixed on heaven while navigating the challenges of this world.
In the Gospel, Jesus tells the parable of the dishonest steward, who, when faced with losing his position, cleverly secures his future by reducing the debts of his master’s clients. While the steward’s actions are morally questionable, Jesus praises his prudence and resourcefulness. The parable challenges us to think about how we use the resources and talents entrusted to us. Just as the steward used his worldly wisdom to secure his future, we are called to use our gifts wisely to build up treasures in heaven.
These readings remind us that our lives must be lived with purpose and integrity. While we are in this world, we must not be enslaved by its fleeting attractions. Instead, we should use our time, talents, and resources to serve God and others, knowing that our ultimate reward lies in heaven. Let us strive to be prudent and faithful stewards of all that God has entrusted to us, using these gifts to build a life that reflects our citizenship in heaven. May we live in such a way that when our time on earth is over, we will be welcomed into the eternal life that Christ has prepared for us.