Daily Readings - Fri Nov 07 2025
Romans
14I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another.15I have written you quite boldly on some points, as if to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me16to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles with the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.17Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God.18I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done--19by the power of signs and miracles, through the power of the Spirit. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.20It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else's foundation.21Rather, as it is written: "Those who were not told about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand."
Luke
1Jesus told his disciples: "There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions.2So he called him in and asked him, 'What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you cannot be manager any longer.'3"The manager said to himself, 'What shall I do now? My master is taking away my job. I'm not strong enough to dig, and I'm ashamed to beg--4I know what I'll do so that, when I lose my job here, people will welcome me into their houses.'5"So he called in each one of his master's debtors. He asked the first, 'How much do you owe my master?'6"'Eight hundred gallons of olive oil,' he replied. "The manager told him, 'Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it four hundred.'7"Then he asked the second, 'And how much do you owe?'"'A thousand bushels of wheat,' he replied. "He told him, 'Take your bill and make it eight hundred.'8"The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light.
Sermon
The first reading from Romans and the Gospel from Luke both invite us to reflect on the themes of responsibility, prudence, and trust in God’s providence. In Romans, St. Paul speaks of his missionary work among the Gentiles, emphasizing that his role is not to build on someone else’s foundation but to preach the Gospel where it has not been heard. He humbly acknowledges that his accomplishments are not his own but the work of Christ through him. This passage reminds us that our talents, resources, and opportunities are gifts from God, and we are called to use them wisely for the sake of others and the spread of the Gospel.
In the Gospel, Jesus tells the parable of the dishonest steward, who, upon being dismissed, shrewdly secures his future by reducing the debts of his master’s clients. While the steward’s actions are morally questionable, Jesus praises his prudence, highlighting the lesson that the “sons of this age” often show more cleverness in worldly affairs than the “sons of light” do in spiritual matters. This parable challenges us to think about how we use the resources and opportunities God has given us. Are we as clever and resourceful in managing our spiritual lives as we are in our earthly affairs?
Both readings call us to reflect on our stewardship of God’s gifts. St. Paul’s missionary zeal and the steward’s prudence remind us that we are called to be responsible and wise in how we live our lives. In our daily lives, we are invited to use our talents, time, and resources in a way that honors God and serves others. Let us ask ourselves: Am I using what God has given me to build up the Kingdom of God, or am I squandering these gifts on fleeting worldly concerns? May we strive to be as diligent in our spiritual lives as we are in our earthly pursuits, trusting that God will provide for us as we seek to live faithfully in His service.