Daily Readings - Thu Sep 18 2025
1 Timothy
12Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.13Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.14Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.15Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.16Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
Luke
36Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table.37When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume,38and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.39When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is--that she is a sinner."40Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you.Tell me, teacher," he said.41"Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.42Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?"43Simon replied, "I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled.You have judged correctly," Jesus said.44Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.45You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet.46You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet.47Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven--for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little."48Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."49The other guests began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?"50Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."
Sermon
In today's readings, we are invited to reflect on the essence of faith and love. The first reading from 1 Timothy encourages us to be examples of faith, using the gifts God has entrusted to us, and to focus on doctrine and self-improvement. This letter, part of Paul's guidance to Timothy, emphasizes the importance of living out our faith in both word and deed. The Gospel from Luke presents a vivid scene where a sinful woman anoints Jesus' feet, teaching us about the transformative power of love and forgiveness.
The context of these readings is significant. 1 Timothy is a pastoral letter guiding Timothy in his role as a leader, urging him to embody faith and virtue. In Luke's Gospel, the setting is a Pharisee's house, highlighting the contrast between the Pharisee's judgment and Jesus' compassionate forgiveness. Both readings connect through their themes of faith and love, showing how these virtues should be lived out in our actions and interactions.
In our daily lives, these readings remind us to live out our faith actively. We are called to use our gifts and talents to serve others, just as Timothy was advised. The story of the sinful woman teaches us about humility and the depth of God's forgiveness. It encourages us to approach life with a loving heart, recognizing that our capacity to love is closely tied to our experience of being forgiven.
The moral lesson here is clear: our faith is not just about belief but about how we live it out. By embracing humility, practicing forgiveness, and expressing love, we reflect God's grace in the world. Let us strive to be examples of faith, just as Timothy was encouraged, and to love deeply, as the sinful woman did, trusting that our faith will bring us salvation and peace.