Daily Readings - Sat Nov 06 2021

³Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus.⁴They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.⁵Greet also the church that meets at their house. Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia.⁶Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you.⁷Greet Andronicus and Junias, my relatives who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was.⁸Greet Ampliatus, whom I love in the Lord.⁹Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys.¹⁶Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send greetings.²²I, Tertius, who wrote down this letter, greet you in the Lord.²³Gaius, whose hospitality I and the whole church here enjoy, sends you his greetings. Erastus, who is the city's director of public works, and our brother Quartus send you their greetings.²⁴Verse omitted from the New International Version²⁵Now to him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past,²⁶but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey him--²⁷to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.

Luke

Chapter 16

⁹I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.¹⁰"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.¹¹So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?¹²And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else's property, who will give you property of your own?¹³"No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."¹⁴The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus.¹⁵He said to them, "You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts. What is highly valued among men is detestable in God's sight.

Sermon

The readings today remind us of the importance of gratitude, faithfulness, and the proper use of the resources we have been given. In the first reading from Romans, St. Paul offers a heartfelt greeting to various members of the early Christian community, acknowledging their contributions and expressing his deep appreciation for their support. This passage highlights the value of community and the bonds of love that unite believers in Christ. It also underscores the importance of recognizing and thanking those who have helped us on our journey of faith. In the Gospel, Jesus teaches us about the use of material wealth and the importance of faithfulness. He encourages us to use worldly resources wisely, not for selfish gain, but to build relationships that will last into eternal life. Jesus emphasizes that faithfulness in small matters is a sign of faithfulness in greater ones. He also warns against the temptation to serve two masters—God and mammon—reminding us that we cannot be divided in our allegiance. The Pharisees, who were consumed by greed, ridiculed Jesus’ teaching, but He made it clear that what is exalted by men is often detestable in God’s sight. These readings invite us to reflect on our own lives. Are we grateful for the people and blessings God has placed in our lives? Do we use the resources we have been given in a way that honors God and serves others? Let us strive to be faithful stewards of all that we have, whether great or small, and to prioritize our relationship with God above all else. May we cultivate hearts of gratitude and live in a way that reflects our ultimate allegiance to Christ, knowing that true wealth lies not in material possessions but in the eternal treasures of love, mercy, and faithfulness.