Daily Catholic Mass Readings for September 1, 2021
Psalm 52
1Unto the end. The understanding of David. When Doeg the Edomite came and reported to Saul, David went to the house of Ahimelech. Why do you glory in malice, you who are powerful in iniquity?2All day long your tongue thinks up injustice. Like a sharp razor, you have wrought deceit3You have loved malice above goodness, and iniquity more than speaking righteousness4You have loved all precipitous words, you deceitful tongue5Because of this, God will destroy you in the end. He will pull you up, and he will remove you from your tabernacle and your root from the land of the living6The just will see and be afraid, and they will laugh over him, and say7"Behold the man who did not set God as his helper. But he hoped in the multitude of his riches, and so he prevailed in his emptiness.8But I, like a fruitful olive tree in the house of God, have hoped in the mercy of God unto eternity, and forever and ever9I will confess to you forever, because you have accomplished it. And I will wait on your name, for it is good in the sight of your saints
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 Gospel, we witness Jesus’ compassionate power as He heals Peter’s mother-in-law and many others, followed by His dedication to spreading the Good News. After healing her, she immediately serves them, illustrating how faith leads to action. As evening falls, Jesus heals various ailments and casts out demons, affirming His divine authority. Despite the crowds’ eagerness to keep Him, Jesus insists on preaching in other cities, driven by His mission to fulfill God’s plan.
This passage follows Jesus’ proclamation in the synagogue, where He identified Himself as the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy. His actions here validate His words, showcasing His authority and compassion. The healings and exorcisms demonstrate the Kingdom of God’s power over human suffering, while His departure underscores the broader mission beyond physical healing, emphasizing the need to spread the Gospel.
In our lives, we can apply this by trusting in God’s providence, especially in times of struggle. Just as Jesus healed and preached, we are called to both serve and share our faith. The balance between action and proclamation reminds us to care for others and to be ambassadors of Christ. Let us embrace this dual call, trusting in God’s plan and actively participating in His mission, just as Jesus did.