Daily Catholic Mass Readings for September 2, 2020
First Reading: 1 Corinthians 3.1-9
1And so, brothers, I was not able to speak to you as if to those who are spiritual, but rather as if to those who are carnal. For you are like infants in Christ2I gave you milk to drink, not solid food. For you were not yet able. And indeed, even now, you are not able; for you are still carnal3And since there is still envy and contention among you, are you not carnal, and are you not walking according to man4For if one says, "Certainly, I am of Paul," while another says, "I am of Apollo," are you not men? But what is Apollo, and what is Paul5We are only the ministers of him in whom you have believed, just as the Lord has granted to each of you6I planted, Apollo watered, but God provided the growth7And so, neither he who plants, nor he who waters, is anything, but only God, who provides the growth8Now he who plants, and he who waters, are one. But each shall receive his proper reward, according to his labors9For we are God’s assistants. You are God’s cultivation; you are God’s construction
Psalm 33
1A Psalm of David. Exult in the Lord, you just ones; together praise the upright2Confess to the Lord with stringed instruments; sing psalms to him with the psaltery, the instrument of ten strings3Sing to him a new song. Sing psalms to him skillfully, with loud exclamation4For the word of the Lord is upright, and all his works are in faith5He loves mercy and judgment. The earth is full of the mercy of the Lord6By the word of the Lord, the heavens were established, and all their power, by the Spirit of his mouth7gathering together the waters of the sea, as if in a container, placing the depths in storage8Let all the earth fear the Lord, and may all the inhabitants of the world quake before him9For he spoke, and they became. He commanded, and they were created10The Lord scatters the counsels of the nations. Moreover, he reproves the thoughts of the people, and he rejects the counsels of the leaders11But the counsel of the Lord remains for eternity, the thoughts of his heart from generation to generation12Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen as his inheritance13The Lord has looked down from heaven. He has seen all the sons of men14From his well-prepared dwelling place, he has gazed upon all who dwell on the earth15He has formed the hearts of each one of them; he understands all their works16The king is not saved by great power, nor will the giant be saved by his many powers17The horse is false safety; for he will not be saved by the abundance of his powers18Behold, the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him and on those who hope in his mercy19so as to rescue their souls from death and to feed them during famine20Our soul remains with the Lord. For he is our helper and protector21For in him, our heart will rejoice, and in his holy name, we have hoped22Let your mercy be upon us, O Lord, just as we have hoped in you
Gospel: Luke 4.38-44
38Then Jesus, rising up from the synagogue, entered into the house of Simon. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in the grip of a severe fever. And they petitioned him on her behalf39And standing over her, he commanded the fever, and it left her. And promptly rising up, she ministered to them40Then, when the sun had set, all those who had anyone afflicted with various diseases brought them to him. Then, laying his hands on each one of them, he cured them41Now demons departed from many of them, crying out and saying, "You are the son of God." And rebuking them, he would not permit them to speak. For they knew him to be the Christ42Then, when it was daytime, going out, he went to a deserted place. And the crowds sought him, and they went all the way to him. And they detained him, so that he would not depart from them43And he said to them, "I must also preach the kingdom of God to other cities, because it was for this reason that I was sent.44And he was preaching in the synagogues of Galilee
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound lessons that guide us in our spiritual journey. The first reading from 1 Corinthians reminds us that while we may plant and water the seeds of faith, it is God who brings forth the growth. Paul addresses the Corinthians, who were divided by factions, urging them to move beyond their carnal divisions and focus on their spiritual growth. He emphasizes that ministers are merely God's instruments, and true growth comes from Him.
In the Gospel, Luke shares the story of Jesus healing Simon's mother-in-law and many others, demonstrating His divine authority. Despite the crowds' desire to keep Him in one place, Jesus insists on spreading the kingdom's message, showing that His mission is not limited to physical healing but extends to spiritual salvation. This highlights Jesus' role as the Messiah, focused on fulfilling His divine purpose.
These readings teach us to trust in God's providence and recognize our role as His instruments. We are called to humility, unity, and a focus on spiritual growth. Let us embrace our role in God's plan, trusting that He will bring forth the fruit of our efforts. In our daily lives, may we seek to serve and spread God's message, remembering that true power and growth come from Him alone.