Daily Readings - Tue Sep 19 2017

First Reading - 1 Timothy 3.1-13

¹It is a faithful saying: if a man desires the episcopate, he desires a good work²Therefore, it is necessary for a bishop to be beyond reproach, the husband of one wife, sober, prudent, gracious, chaste, hospitable, a teacher³not a drunkard, not combative but restrained, not quarrelsome, not covetous⁴but a man who leads his own house well, having children who are subordinate with all chastity⁵For if a man does not know how to lead his own house, how will he take care of the Church of God⁶He must not be a new convert, lest, being elated by pride, he may fall under the sentence of the devil⁷And it is necessary for him also to have good testimony from those who are outside, so that he may not fall into disrepute and the snare of the devil⁸Similarly, deacons must be chaste, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not pursuing tainted profit⁹holding to the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience¹⁰And these things should be proven first, and then they may minister, being without offense¹¹Similarly, the women must be chaste, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things¹²Deacons should be the husband of one wife, men who lead their own children and their own houses well¹³For those who have ministered well will acquire for themselves a good position, and much confidence in the faith which is in Christ Jesus

Gospel - Luke 7.11-17

Luke

Chapter 7

¹¹And it happened afterwards that he went to a city, which is called Nain. And his disciples, and an abundant crowd, went with him¹²Then, when he had drawn near to the gate of the city, behold, a deceased person was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her¹³And when the Lord had seen her, being moved by mercy over her, he said to her, "Do not weep.¹⁴And he drew near and touched the coffin. Then those who carried it stood still. And he said, "Young man, I say to you, arise.¹⁵And the dead youth sat up and began to speak. And he gave him to his mother¹⁶Then fear fell over all of them. And they magnified God, saying: "For a great prophet has risen up among us," and, "For God has visited his people.¹⁷And this word about him went out to all of Judea and to the entire surrounding region

Sermon

In today's readings, we explore the essence of leadership and compassion through the eyes of faith. The first reading from 1 Timothy outlines the qualities expected of church leaders—blamelessness, hospitality, and the ability to manage one's household. These qualities are not just administrative but reflect a deeper moral integrity, suggesting that true leadership stems from a life well-lived and a heart committed to serving others. The Gospel from Luke presents a vivid narrative of Jesus's compassion. In raising the widow's son, Jesus embodies the leadership qualities described in 1 Timothy. His actions are driven by empathy and a divine mandate to serve. This miracle is not just a display of power but a testament to Jesus's role as a leader who serves with love and compassion. These readings remind us that leadership, whether in the church or in our daily lives, is about serving with integrity and compassion. As followers of Christ, we are called to lead by example, demonstrating love and care in our interactions. Whether in our families, workplaces, or communities, we are invited to embrace the qualities Jesus modeled—compassion, integrity, and selfless service. Let us strive to lead with hearts that reflect God's love, transforming our world through our actions and faith.