Daily Readings - Sat Nov 16 2024
3 John
5Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, even though they are strangers to you.6They have told the church about your love. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God.7It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans.8We ought therefore to show hospitality to such men so that we may work together for the truth.
Luke
1Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.2He said: "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men.3And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.'4"For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or care about men,5yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually wear me out with her coming!'"6And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says.7And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off?8I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are reminded of the importance of faithfulness and persistence in our relationship with God and in our service to others. The first reading from 3 John emphasizes the need to act faithfully in our dealings with others, particularly in supporting those who are serving the Lord. The author commends the community for their charity and encourages them to continue welcoming and assisting missionaries, even though they may face challenges and sacrifices. This passage highlights the importance of living out our faith through concrete actions of love and hospitality.
The Gospel from Luke presents us with the parable of the persistent widow and the unjust judge. This parable teaches us about the necessity of persistent prayer. The widow, despite being ignored and rejected multiple times, refuses to give up and eventually wears down the judge, who grants her justice simply to be rid of her. Jesus uses this story to reassure us that God, unlike the unjust judge, is loving and just. He will hear the cries of His elect and bring about justice quickly. However, Jesus also poses a challenging question: will He find faith on earth when He returns? This question invites us to reflect on the state of our own faith and our commitment to prayer.
These readings are connected by the theme of perseverance. The first reading encourages us to persevere in acts of charity and faithfulness, while the Gospel urges us to persevere in prayer, trusting that God will hear us. In our daily lives, we often face challenges and setbacks that can lead to discouragement. These readings remind us to remain steadfast, whether in serving others or in our prayer life. Let us take heart in knowing that our efforts, though they may seem small or insignificant, are seen by God and will bear fruit in His time. May we cultivate a deeper trust in God’s providence and remain persistent in living out our faith with love and hope.