Daily Readings - Mon Nov 06 2023
Romans
29for God's gifts and his call are irrevocable.30Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience,31so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may now receive mercy as a result of God's mercy to you.32For God has bound all men over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.33Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!34"Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?"35"Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?"36For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.
Luke
12Then Jesus said to his host, "When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid.13But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind,14and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."
Sermon
In today's readings, we are reminded of God's boundless mercy and the call to live with humility and generosity. The passage from Romans highlights the mystery of God's ways, emphasizing that His mercy is universal and beyond human comprehension. It underscores that we are all recipients of His grace, regardless of our past beliefs or actions. The Gospel from Luke complements this by offering a practical application of living out God's mercy. Jesus teaches us to extend hospitality not to those who can repay us but to those on the margins—the poor, the disabled, the lame, and the blind. This act of selfless generosity reflects the heart of God, who showers mercy on all without expectation of return.
The connection between the two readings lies in their emphasis on God's universal and unconditional love. In Romans, we see that God's mercy is not limited by human unbelief or failure, and in Luke, we are challenged to mirror this mercy in our interactions with others. Jesus' teaching on hospitality is not just about who we invite to our tables but about how we view and treat all people. It calls us to move beyond reciprocal relationships and instead embrace a way of living that prioritizes compassion and kindness, especially toward those often overlooked.
As we reflect on these readings, let us consider how we can live out this mercy and generosity in our daily lives. It might mean reaching out to someone who feels excluded, offering a kind word to someone who needs encouragement, or simply being present for those who feel alone. Remember, our actions of love and mercy are not for earthly reward but for the promise of eternal life. May we trust in God's wisdom and ways, even when they seem incomprehensible, and may we strive to be vessels of His mercy in a world that deeply needs it.