Daily Readings - Sat Sep 11 2021
1 Timothy
15Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst.16But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.17Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Luke
43"No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit.44Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers.45The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.46"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?47I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice.48He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.49But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete."
Sermon
The readings today remind us of the transformative power of God’s mercy and the importance of living a life rooted in faith. In the first reading from 1 Timothy, St. Paul humbly acknowledges himself as the foremost of sinners, yet he emphasizes that it was precisely through God’s mercy that he was transformed. This transformation was not just for his own sake but to serve as an example for others, showing that no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace. The reading concludes with a beautiful doxology, praising God’s eternal glory and invisible nature, highlighting the majesty and mystery of the divine.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches us about the connection between our hearts and our actions. He uses the metaphor of trees and their fruit to illustrate that the quality of our actions reflects the state of our hearts. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and an evil tree cannot bear good fruit. Jesus then challenges us to examine our relationship with His teachings. He distinguishes between those who merely call Him “Lord” and those who truly listen to and act on His words. The parable of the two builders drives this point home: the one who builds on rock (obedience to God’s will) endures life’s storms, while the one who builds on sand (disobedience or superficial faith) faces ruin.
These readings call us to reflect on the authenticity of our faith. Like St. Paul, we are all sinners in need of God’s mercy, but that mercy is not just a gift—it’s a call to transformation. Jesus invites us to move beyond superficial devotion and instead build our lives on the solid foundation of His teachings. In our daily lives, this means not just hearing the Word of God but also putting it into practice. Let us ask ourselves: Are our actions consistent with our faith? Are we building our lives on the rock of obedience to Christ, or are we settling for a shallow faith that cannot withstand life’s challenges? May we strive to live in such a way that the fruit of our lives reflects the goodness of God’s grace at work within us.