Daily Catholic Mass Readings for September 1, 2019
First Reading: Sirach 3.17-20, 28-29
17And you will be built up in justice, and you will be remembered in the day of tribulation. And your sins will dissolve like ice in warm weather18What an evil form has he who forsakes his father! And whoever exasperates his mother is accursed by God19Son, perform your works in meekness, and you shall be loved beyond the glory of men20However great you may be, humble yourself in all things, and you will find grace in the presence of God28A heart advancing in two directions will not have success, and the depraved heart will be scandalized in this way29A wicked heart will be burdened with sorrows, and a sinner will add further sins
Psalm 68
1Unto the end. A Canticle Psalm of David himself. May God rise up, and may his enemies be scattered, and may those who hate him flee from before his face2Just as smoke vanishes, so may they vanish. Just as wax flows away before the face of fire, so may sinners pass away before the face of God3And so, let the just feast, and let them exult in the sight of God and be delighted in gladness4Sing to God, sing a psalm to his name. Make a path for him, who ascends over the west. The Lord is his name. Exult in his sight; they will be stirred up before his face5the father of orphans and the judge of widows. God is in his holy place6It is God who makes men dwell in a house under one custom. He leads out those who are strongly bound, and similarly, those who exasperate, who dwell in sepulchers7O God, when you departed in the sight of your people, when you passed through the desert8the earth was moved, for the heavens rained down before the face of the God of Sinai, before the face of the God of Israel9You will set aside for your inheritance, O God, a willing rain. And though it was weak, truly, you have made it perfect10Your animals will dwell in it. O God, in your sweetness, you have provided for the poor11The Lord will give the word to evangelizers, along with great virtue12The King of virtue is beloved among the beloved. And the beauty of the house will divide spoils13If you take your rest in the midst of the clergy, you will be like a dove whose wings are covered with fine silver and edged with pale gold14When heaven discerns kings to be over her, they will be whitened with the snows of Zalmon15The mountain of God is a fat mountain, a dense mountain, a thick mountain16So then, why are you distrustful of dense mountains? The mountain on which God is well pleased to dwell, even there, the Lord will dwell until the end17The chariot of God is ten thousand fold: thousands rejoice. The Lord is with them in Sinai, in the holy place18You have ascended on high; you have taken captivity captive. You have accepted gifts among men. For even those who do not believe dwell with the Lord God19Blessed is the Lord, day after day. The God of our salvation will make our journey prosper for us20Our God is the God who will bring about our salvation, and our Lord is the Lord who has brought an end to death21So then, truly, God will break the heads of his enemies, the hairy skull of those who wander around in their offenses22The Lord said: I will turn them away from Bashan, I will turn them into the depths of the sea23so that your feet may be soaked in the blood of your enemies, so that the tongue of your dogs may be soaked with the same24O God, they have seen your arrival, the arrival of my God, of my king who is in a holy place25The leaders went ahead, united with the singers of psalms, in the midst of girls playing on timbrels26In the churches, bless the Lord God from the fountains of Israel27In that place, Benjamin is a youth in ecstasy of mind. The leaders of Judah are their governors: the leaders of Zebulun, the leaders of Naphtali28Command by your virtue, O God. Confirm in this place, O God, what you have wrought in us29Before your temple in Jerusalem, kings will offer gifts to you30Rebuke the wild beasts of the reeds, a congregation of bulls with the cows of the people, for they seek to exclude those who have been tested like silver. Scatter the nations that are pleased by wars31Ambassadors will come out of Egypt. Ethiopia will offer in advance her hands to God32Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth. Sing psalms to the Lord. Sing psalms to God33He ascends, up to the heaven of the heavens, toward the east. Behold, he will utter his voice, the voice of virtue34Give glory to God beyond Israel. His magnificence and his virtue is in the clouds35God is wonderful in his saints. The God of Israel himself will give virtue and strength to his people. Blessed is God
Second Reading: Hebrews 12.18-19, 22-24a
18But you have not drawn near to a tangible mountain, or a burning fire, or a whirlwind, or a mist, or a storm19or the sound of a trumpet, or a voice of words. Those who had experienced these things excused themselves, lest the Word be spoken to them22But you have drawn near to mount Zion, and to the city of the living God, to the heavenly Jerusalem, and to the company of many thousands of Angels23and to the Church of the first-born, those who have been inscribed in the heavens, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the just made perfect24and to Jesus, the Mediator of the New Testament, and to a sprinkling of blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel
Gospel: Luke 14.1, 7-14
1And it happened that, when Jesus entered the house of a certain leader of the Pharisees on the Sabbath to eat bread, they were observing him7Then he also told a parable, to those who were invited, noticing how they chose the first seats at the table, saying to them8"When you are invited to a wedding, do not sit down in the first place, lest perhaps someone more honored than yourself may have been invited by him9And then he who called both you and him, approaching, may say to you, ‘Give this place to him.’ And then you would begin, with shame, to take the last place10But when you are invited, go, sit down in the lowest place, so that, when he who invited you arrives, he may say to you, ‘Friend, go up higher.’ Then you will have glory in the sight of those who sit at table together with you11For everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled, and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.12Then he also said to the one who had invited him: "When you prepare a lunch or dinner, do not choose to call your friends, or your brothers, or your relatives, or your wealthy neighbors, lest perhaps they might then invite you in return and repayment would made to you13But when you prepare a feast, call the poor, the disabled, the lame, and the blind14And you will be blessed because they do not have a way to repay you. So then, your recompense will be in the resurrection of the just.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we explore the themes of humility and our spiritual identity. The first reading from Sirach reminds us of the importance of humility and respecting our parents, warning against the consequences of a wicked heart. It encourages us to cultivate humility, which will bring us grace and favor with God.
The second reading from Hebrews contrasts the intimidating presence of God on an earthly mountain with the celestial city of Mount Zion. This passage invites us to reflect on our spiritual citizenship in heaven, where we are part of a vast community including angels, the first-born, and Jesus, the mediator of the New Covenant. This heavenly perspective should inspire us to live with humility and hope.
In the Gospel, Luke presents a parable about humility at a wedding feast, advising against seeking the highest seat. Jesus teaches that true greatness comes from humility and serving others, especially those who cannot repay us. This practical advice extends to our daily interactions, encouraging us to embrace humility in all aspects of life.
These readings remind us that humility is not just a virtue but a way of life. By living humbly and serving others, we reflect the teachings of Jesus and align ourselves with the values of the Kingdom of God. Our focus should be on eternal rewards, where our humility and service will be recognized.
In conclusion, the moral lesson is clear: true greatness is found in humility and service. Let us strive to live with humility, recognizing our spiritual home in heaven, and serve others selflessly, as Jesus taught.