Daily Readings - Mon Sep 13 2021
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
1When Jesus had finished saying all this in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum.2There a centurion's servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die.3The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant.4When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, "This man deserves to have you do this,5because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue."6So Jesus went with them. He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: "Lord, don't trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof.7That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed.8For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."9When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, "I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel."10Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful lessons about faith, humility, and the universal call to salvation. The first reading from 1 Timothy emphasizes the importance of prayer for all people, especially those in positions of authority, so that we might live peaceful and godly lives. Paul reminds us that God desires the salvation of all and that Christ Jesus is the one mediator between God and humanity, who gave himself as a ransom for all. This passage underscores the unity of God’s plan and the necessity of prayer in bringing others to the truth.
The Gospel from Luke presents us with the story of the centurion, a Roman military officer, whose servant was gravely ill. Despite his position of power, the centurion humbly recognizes his unworthiness to approach Jesus directly and instead sends Jewish elders and then friends to intercede on his behalf. His remarkable faith is evident when he says, “Say the word, and my servant shall be healed.” Jesus is moved by the centurion’s faith and heals the servant without even entering his house. This story highlights the power of humility and trust in God, as well as the inclusivity of God’s mercy, which extends even to those outside the Jewish community.
These readings are deeply connected. Both emphasize the universality of God’s plan and the importance of faith and prayer. In 1 Timothy, we are called to pray for all people, recognizing that God’s desire for salvation is not limited to any one group. In the Gospel, we see this principle in action through the centurion, a Gentile, whose faith Jesus praises as greater than any he has found in Israel. Together, these readings remind us that God’s grace is available to all and that our faith, when combined with humility, can lead to extraordinary outcomes.
As we reflect on these readings, let us consider how we can apply their lessons to our daily lives. First, let us embrace the call to pray for everyone, especially those in authority, that we might live in peace and harmony. Second, let us cultivate humility and trust in God, recognizing that His power is not limited by our worthiness. Finally, let us remember that faith in God can overcome even the most daunting challenges. May we, like the centurion, approach God with humility and confidence, trusting in His providence and mercy.