Daily Readings - Tue Nov 04 2025
Romans
5so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith.7If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach;8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.9Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.11Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.13Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.15Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Luke
15When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, "Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God."16Jesus replied: "A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests.17At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, 'Come, for everything is now ready.'18"But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, 'I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.'19"Another said, 'I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I'm on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.'20"Still another said, 'I just got married, so I can't come.'21"The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, 'Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.'22"'Sir,' the servant said, 'what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.'23"Then the master told his servant, 'Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full.24I tell you, not one of those men who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.'"
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are reminded of the call to live as members of God’s family, united in Christ and committed to serving one another with humility and love. The first reading from Romans emphasizes that we are one body in Christ, each with unique gifts and responsibilities. Paul urges us to use these gifts generously and sincerely, avoiding pretense and self-importance. He calls us to live with genuine love, to rejoice with those who rejoice, and to weep with those who weep. This passage challenges us to embrace our interconnectedness and to live in harmony, supporting one another in our shared journey of faith.
The Gospel from Luke offers a complementary message through the parable of the great feast. When the invited guests make excuses and refuse the invitation, the host opens his table to the poor, the blind, and the lame—those often overlooked by society. This story reflects God’s desire to include all people in His kingdom, especially those who are marginalized or forgotten. It also serves as a warning against complacency and self-absorption. Just as the guests in the parable missed the opportunity to share in the feast, we risk missing the deeper invitation to live in communion with God and with one another if we allow worldly concerns or selfishness to distract us.
Together, these readings invite us to reflect on our own lives. Are we using the gifts God has given us to serve others, or are we holding them back? Do we welcome the marginalized and the overlooked, or do we allow our own comfort and excuses to keep us isolated? Let us strive to live with the humility and generosity that Paul describes, and let us respond eagerly to God’s invitation to the feast of life. May we remember that true joy and fulfillment come not from what we possess or achieve, but from living in love and service to others, just as Christ has shown us.