Daily Readings - Thu Sep 06 2018
1 Corinthians
18Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become foolish, so that he may be truly wise19For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. And so it has been written: "I will catch the wise in their own astuteness.20And again: "The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.21And so, let no one glory in men22For all is yours: whether Paul, or Apollo, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or the present, or the future. Yes, all is yours23But you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s
Luke
1Now it happened that, when the crowds pressed toward him, so that they might hear the word of God, he was standing beside the lake of Genesaret2And he saw two boats standing beside the lake. But the fishermen had climbed down, and they were washing their nets3And so, climbing into one of the boats, which belonged to Simon, he asked him to draw back a little from the land. And sitting down, he taught the crowds from the boat4Then, when he had ceased speaking, he said to Simon, "Lead us into deep water, and release your nets for a catch.5And in response, Simon said to him: "Teacher, working throughout the night, we caught nothing. But on your word, I will release the net.6And when they had done this, they enclosed such a copious multitude of fish that their net was rupturing7And they signaled to their associates, who were in the other boat, so that they would come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they were nearly submerged8But when Simon Peter had seen this, he fell down at the knees of Jesus, saying, "Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.9For astonishment had enveloped him, and all who were with him, at the catch of fish that they had taken10Now the same was true of James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were associates of Simon. And Jesus said to Simon: "Do not be afraid. From now on, you will be catching men.11And having led their boats to land, leaving behind everything, they followed him
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound lessons on wisdom and faith. The first reading from 1 Corinthians 3:18-23 cautions against the allure of worldly wisdom, which is fleeting and often deceptive. Paul reminds us that true wisdom lies in recognizing that all things belong to those who belong to Christ, urging us to look beyond human achievements and earthly divisions. This passage is set against the backdrop of the Corinthian church, where divisions arose as members aligned themselves with different leaders. Paul's message is a call to unity and humility, emphasizing that our true allegiance is to Christ.
The Gospel from Luke 5:1-11 presents a pivotal moment in the ministry of Jesus. By the Lake of Gennesaret, Jesus performs a miraculous catch of fish, leading Simon Peter to a profound realization of his own sinfulness and Jesus' divine authority. This miracle serves as a call to discipleship, symbolizing the transition from a life of ordinary labor to one dedicated to spiritual pursuits. The context is the early Galilean ministry of Jesus, where He begins to gather His disciples, demonstrating His power and authority to those who would follow Him.
These readings intertwine beautifully, as the Corinthians' warning against worldly wisdom finds its antidote in the Gospel's call to trust in God's plan. Simon Peter's humility and willingness to obey Jesus, despite the seeming foolishness of the task, exemplify the true wisdom spoken of by Paul. This teaches us to approach life with humility, trusting in God's wisdom even when it challenges our understanding.
In our daily lives, we are often faced with choices that require us to step out in faith, just as Simon Peter did. The readings encourage us to embrace humility and trust in God's providence, even when the path seems uncertain. The moral lesson here is clear: true wisdom is found in surrendering to God's will, recognizing that all we have and are is a gift from Him. Let us, like Simon Peter, respond with humility and obedience, allowing God to guide us into deeper waters, where He promises an abundance beyond our wildest imagination.