Daily Readings - Fri Nov 10 2023
Romans
14I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another.15I have written you quite boldly on some points, as if to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me16to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles with the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.17Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God.18I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done--19by the power of signs and miracles, through the power of the Spirit. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.20It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else's foundation.21Rather, as it is written: "Those who were not told about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand."
Luke
1Jesus told his disciples: "There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions.2So he called him in and asked him, 'What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you cannot be manager any longer.'3"The manager said to himself, 'What shall I do now? My master is taking away my job. I'm not strong enough to dig, and I'm ashamed to beg--4I know what I'll do so that, when I lose my job here, people will welcome me into their houses.'5"So he called in each one of his master's debtors. He asked the first, 'How much do you owe my master?'6"'Eight hundred gallons of olive oil,' he replied. "The manager told him, 'Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it four hundred.'7"Then he asked the second, 'And how much do you owe?'"'A thousand bushels of wheat,' he replied. "He told him, 'Take your bill and make it eight hundred.'8"The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two distinct yet interconnected messages that invite us to reflect on our roles as stewards and disciples. The first reading from Romans highlights Paul's missionary work among the Gentiles, where he serves as a minister of Christ, boasting not in his own achievements but in the grace and power of the Holy Spirit. Paul's context is one of spreading the Gospel to those who have not heard it, emphasizing the importance of faithfulness and prudent use of his calling.
The Gospel from Luke presents the parable of the dishonest steward, who, upon being dismissed, secures his future by reducing the debts of others. While his actions are morally questionable, the master commends his prudence. Jesus draws a lesson from this, urging the disciples to be as shrewd in managing spiritual resources as the world is with material ones. This parable challenges us to consider how we use our talents, time, and resources in service to God and others.
Both readings converge on the theme of stewardship and responsibility. Paul's dedication to his mission and the steward's calculated actions remind us that our actions have consequences. In our daily lives, we are called to be wise stewards of what God has entrusted to us. This means using our resources to serve others and glorify God, whether through spreading the Gospel or through acts of kindness and prudence.
The moral lesson here is clear: faithfulness and prudence are essential in our Christian journey. Just as the world is diligent in its pursuits, we must be equally diligent in our spiritual lives. Let us strive to use our gifts and opportunities wisely, ensuring that our actions reflect our commitment to God and His kingdom.