Daily Catholic Mass Readings for September 21, 2018
First Reading: Ephesians 4.1-7, 11-13
1And so, as a prisoner in the Lord, I beg you to walk in a manner worthy of the vocation to which you have been called2with all humility and meekness, with patience, supporting one another in charity3Be anxious to preserve the unity of the Spirit within the bonds of peace4One body and one Spirit: to this you have been called by the one hope of your calling5one Lord, one faith, one baptism6one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in us all7Yet to each one of us there has been given grace according to the measure allotted by Christ11And the same one granted that some would be Apostles, and some Prophets, yet truly others evangelists, and others pastors and teachers12for the sake of the perfection of the saints, by the work of the ministry, in the edification of the body of Christ13until we all meet in the unity of faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as a perfect man, in the measure of the age of the fullness of Christ
Psalm 19
1Unto the end. A Psalm of David. The heavens describe the glory of God, and the firmament announces the work of his hands2Day proclaims the word to day, and night to night imparts knowledge3There are no speeches or conversations, where their voices are not being heard4Their sound has gone forth through all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world5He has placed his tabernacle in the sun, and he is like a bridegroom coming out of his bedroom. He has exulted like a giant running along the way6his departure is from the summit of heaven. And his course reaches all the way to its summit. Neither is there anyone who can hide himself from his heat7The law of the Lord is immaculate, converting souls. The testimony of the Lord is faithful, providing wisdom to little ones8The justice of the Lord is right, rejoicing hearts. The precepts of the Lord are brilliant, enlightening the eyes9The fear of the Lord is holy, enduring for all generations. The judgments of the Lord are true, justified in themselves10desirable beyond gold and many precious stones, and sweeter than honey and the honeycomb11For, indeed, your servant keeps them, and in keeping them, there are many rewards12Who can understand transgression? From my hidden faults, cleanse me, O Lord13and from those of others, spare your servant. If they will have no dominion over me, then I will be immaculate, and I will be cleansed from the greatest transgression14And the eloquence of my mouth will be so as to please, along with the meditation of my heart, in your sight, forever, O Lord, my helper and my redeemer
Gospel: Matthew 9.9-13
9And when Jesus passed on from there, he saw, sitting at the tax office, a man named Matthew. And he said to him, "Follow me." And rising up, he followed him10And it happened that, as he was sitting down to eat in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners arrived, and they sat down to eat with Jesus and his disciples11And the Pharisees, seeing this, said to his disciples, "Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?12But Jesus, hearing this, said: "It is not those who are healthy who are in need of a physician, but those who have maladies13So then, go out and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the just, but sinners.
Sermon
In today's readings, we are reminded of the profound call to live a life of unity and humility, and to embody God's mercy in our interactions with others. The first reading from Ephesians encourages us to embrace our Christian vocation with humility and patience, striving to maintain the unity of the Spirit. It highlights the diverse gifts we receive, such as apostles, prophets, and teachers, all intended to build up the body of Christ. This passage emphasizes that our unity is not about uniformity but about harmonious diversity, each contributing our unique gifts for the common good.
The Gospel from Matthew illustrates this teaching through Jesus' actions. When Jesus calls Matthew, a tax collector, and dines with sinners, He exemplifies the unity and mercy spoken of in Ephesians. The Pharisees' criticism prompts Jesus to quote Hosea, "I desire mercy, not sacrifice," underscoring God's preference for compassion over ritual. Jesus' ministry is one of inclusion, reaching out to those on the margins, and this challenges us to do the same.
In our daily lives, these readings call us to humility and mercy. We are urged to recognize the gifts in others and work together for the edification of our communities. Just as Jesus reached out to sinners, we too should embrace those who feel excluded, showing compassion and understanding. Let us remember that our faith is not about judgment but about love and inclusion. By living out these values, we become the body of Christ, united in our diversity and merciful in our interactions.