Daily Catholic Mass Readings for November 12, 2024
First Reading: Titus 2.1-8, 11-14
1You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine.2Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.3Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good.4Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children,5to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.6Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled.7In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness8and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.11For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.12It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,13while we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,14who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
Psalm 37
1Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong;2for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.3Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.4Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.5Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this:6He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.7Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.8Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret-it leads only to evil.9For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.10A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found.11But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace.12The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them;13but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming.14The wicked draw the sword and bend the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright.15But their swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken.16Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked;17for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous.18The days of the blameless are known to the LORD, and their inheritance will endure forever.19In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.20But the wicked will perish: The LORD's enemies will be like the beauty of the fields, they will vanish-vanish like smoke.21The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously;22those the LORD blesses will inherit the land, but those he curses will be cut off.23If the LORD delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm;24though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.25I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.26They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed.27Turn from evil and do good; then you will dwell in the land forever.28For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. They will be protected forever, but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off;29the righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever.30The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks what is just.31The law of his God is in his heart; his feet do not slip.32The wicked lie in wait for the righteous, seeking their very lives;33but the LORD will not leave them in their power or let them be condemned when brought to trial.34Wait for the LORD and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you will see it.35I have seen a wicked and ruthless man flourishing like a green tree in its native soil,36but he soon passed away and was no more; though I looked for him, he could not be found.37Consider the blameless, observe the upright; there is a future for the man of peace.38But all sinners will be destroyed; the future of the wicked will be cut off.39The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD; he is their stronghold in time of trouble.40The LORD helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.
Gospel: Luke 17.7-10
7"Suppose one of you had a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Would he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, 'Come along now and sit down to eat'?8Would he not rather say, 'Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink'?9Would he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do?10So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.'"
Sermon
The readings today offer us a powerful reflection on living a life of virtue and humility. In the first reading from Titus, we are reminded of the importance of sound doctrine and the behavior expected of believers. The apostle Paul outlines how older men, women, and young men should conduct themselves—soberly, prudently, and with integrity. He emphasizes that our actions should reflect the grace of God, who has called us to live lives that are “sober, upright, and godly” in this age. This passage is a call to all of us to live in a way that honors God and avoids scandal, so that His Word may not be discredited.
The Gospel from Luke complements this message with a parable about a servant and his master. Jesus asks us to consider the relationship between a servant who has fulfilled their duties and the master who expects nothing less. The servant does not seek praise for doing what is expected but humbly acknowledges that they have only done their duty. This parable challenges us to embrace a spirit of humility and gratitude in our service to God and others. True service is not about seeking recognition but about faithfully fulfilling what is required of us, knowing that everything we have and do is a gift from God.
Together, these readings invite us to reflect on how we live out our faith in daily life. Are we striving to live with integrity and virtue, as Titus encourages? Are we serving others with humility and gratitude, as Jesus teaches? Let us remember that our ultimate purpose is not to seek praise or reward but to glorify God in all that we do. May we embrace the grace of God, which has been poured out upon us, and live in a way that reflects His love and truth. In doing so, we become the kind of people who bring light and hope to a world in need.