Daily Readings - Tue Sep 16 2025
1 Timothy
1Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task.2Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,3not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.4He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect.5(If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?)6He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil.7He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap.8Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain.9They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.10They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.11In the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.12A deacon must be the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and his household well.13Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.
Luke
11Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him.12As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out--the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her.13When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, "Don't cry."14Then he went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. He said, "Young man, I say to you, get up!"15The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.16They were all filled with awe and praised God. "A great prophet has appeared among us," they said. "God has come to help his people."17This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country.
Sermon
The readings today remind us of the importance of leadership, compassion, and faith in our lives. In the first reading from 1 Timothy, St. Paul outlines the qualities necessary for those who would serve the Church as bishops and deacons. He emphasizes virtues such as integrity, hospitality, and self-control, reminding us that those who lead the community of faith must first lead their own households well. This teaching is not just about Church hierarchy; it calls all of us to reflect on how we live out our faith in our families, workplaces, and communities. True leadership is not about power but about serving others with humility and grace.
In the Gospel, we see Jesus demonstrating the heart of a true leader. Moved by compassion for a widow who had lost her only son, Jesus steps into her sorrow and performs a miraculous act of love, raising the young man from the dead. This story shows us that Jesus is not only a prophet but also the one who brings life out of death. His actions remind us that faith and compassion go hand in hand. Just as the widow trusted in God’s providence, we are called to trust in His plan, even in the midst of suffering.
Both readings invite us to reflect on how we can live out our faith in practical ways. Whether in our roles as parents, friends, or members of the community, we are all called to lead with integrity and to serve others with compassion. Let us ask ourselves: Am I living in a way that reflects the virtues St. Paul describes? Am I open to allowing God to work through me to bring hope and healing to others? May we follow Jesus’ example, trusting in His power to transform lives and bringing light to those around us.