Daily Readings for November 8, 2016

1ST READING

Paul learns about difficulties in the communities in Crete. He addresses the issues in his letter to Titus. The communities need the grace to leave behind the earthly practices that have characterized their lives and embrace holiness. This is the way to transform their way of living.

Titus 2:1-8, 11-14

1 Beloved: You must say what is consistent with sound doctrine, namely, 2 that older men should be temperate, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, love, and endurance. 3 Similarly, older women should be reverent in their behavior, not slanderers, not addicted to drink, teaching what is good, 4 so that they may train younger women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled, chaste, good homemakers, under the control of their husbands, so that the word of God may not be discredited. 6 Urge the younger men, similarly, to control themselves, 7 showing yourself as a model of good deeds in every respect, with integrity in your teaching, dignity, 8 and sound speech that cannot be criticized, so that the opponent will be put to shame without anything bad to say about us. 11 For the grace of God has appeared, saving all 12 and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age, 13 as we await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of the great God and of our savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to deliver us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people as his own, eager to do what is good.

P S A L M

Psalm 37:3-4, 18, 23, 27, 29

R: The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

3 Trust in the Lord and do good, that you may dwell in the land and be fed in security. 4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will grant you your heart’s requests. (R) 18 The Lord watches over the lives of the wholehearted; their inheritance lasts forever. 23 By the Lord are the steps of a man made firm, and he approves his way. (R) 27 Turn from evil and do good, that you may abide forever; 29 The just shall possess the land and dwell in it forever. (R)

GOSPEL

We need to know what is expected of us as we live out our vocation. Wherever in our temporal and spiritual life, we have responsibilities to fulfill.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him.

Luke 17:7-10

7 Jesus said to the Apostles: “Who among you would say to your servant who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, ‘Come here immediately and take your place at table’? 8 Would he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for me to eat. Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink. You may eat and drink when I am finished’? 9 Is he grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded? 10 So should it be with you. When you have done all you have been commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.’”