Daily Readings - Wed Oct 20 2021
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
In today’s readings, we are reminded of the profound responsibilities and expectations that come with our faith. The first reading from Romans 6:12-18 urges us to resist sin and instead offer our lives as instruments of justice, living under God’s grace. This passage emphasizes the transformation that occurs when we surrender to God, moving from slavery to sin to becoming servants of righteousness. The second reading from Luke 12:39-48 presents a parable about a master’s unexpected return, highlighting the importance of preparedness and faithfulness. Jesus teaches that those entrusted with much will be held to a higher standard, underscoring the consequences of neglecting our duties.
Both readings share a common theme of accountability and stewardship. In Romans, Paul focuses on our spiritual state, encouraging us to live in accordance with God’s grace. In Luke, Jesus emphasizes the practical aspects of faithfulness, illustrating the importance of being responsible with the resources and time we have. Together, these passages remind us that our faith is not passive but active, requiring us to make intentional choices that reflect our commitment to God.
Applying these teachings to our daily lives, we are called to be mindful of our actions and choices, ensuring they align with our faith. We must remain spiritually vigilant, prepared for life’s unexpected challenges and opportunities. This means being faithful stewards of the talents, time, and resources entrusted to us. The moral lesson here is clear: our actions have consequences, and we are called to live with purpose and integrity, recognizing that we will be held accountable for how we live our lives. Let us strive to be faithful servants, using our gifts to serve others and glorify God.