Daily Catholic Mass Readings for September 7, 2021
First Reading: Colossians 2.6-15
6Therefore, just as you have received the Lord Jesus Christ, walk in him7Be rooted and continually built up in Christ. And be confirmed in the faith, just as you have also learned it, increasing in him with acts of thanksgiving8See to it that no one deceives you through philosophy and empty falsehoods, as found in the traditions of men, in accord with the influences of the world, and not in accord with Christ9For in him, all the fullness of the Divine Nature dwells bodily10And in him, you have been filled; for he is the head of all principality and power11In him also, you have been circumcised with a circumcision not made by hand, not by the despoiling of the body of flesh, but by the circumcision of Christ12You have been buried with him in baptism. In him also, you have risen again through faith, by the work of God, who raised him up from the dead13And when you were dead in your transgressions and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, he enlivened you, together with him, forgiving you of all transgressions14and wiping away the handwriting of the decree which was against us, which was contrary to us. And he has taken this away from your midst, affixing it to the Cross15And so, despoiling principalities and powers, he has led them away confidently and openly, triumphing over them in himself
Psalm 145
1The Praise of David himself. I will extol you, O God, my king. And I will bless your name, in this time and forever and ever2Throughout every single day, I will bless you. And I will praise your name, in this time and forever and ever3The Lord is great and exceedingly praiseworthy. And there is no end to his greatness4Generation after generation will praise your works, and they will declare your power5They will tell of the magnificent glory of your sanctity. And they will discourse of your wonders6And they will talk about the virtue of your terrible acts. And they will describe your greatness7They will shout about the memory of your abundant sweetness. And they will exult in your justice8The Lord is compassionate and merciful, patient and full of mercy9The Lord is sweet to all things, and his compassion is upon all his works10O Lord, may all your works confess to you, and let your holy ones bless you11They will speak of the glory of your kingdom, and they will declare your power12so as to make known to the sons of men your power and the glory of your magnificent kingdom13Your kingdom is a kingdom for all ages, and your dominion is with all, from generation to generation. The Lord is faithful in all his words and holy in all his works14The Lord lifts up all who have fallen down, and he sets upright all who have been thrown down15O Lord, all eyes hope in you, and you provide their food in due time16You open your hand, and you fill every kind of animal with a blessing17The Lord is just in all his ways and holy in all his works18The Lord is near to all who call upon him, to all who call upon him in truth19He will do the will of those who fear him, and he will heed their supplication and accomplish their salvation20The Lord watches over all who love him. And he will destroy all sinners21My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord, and may all flesh bless his holy name, in this time and forever and ever
Gospel: Luke 6.12-19
12And it happened that, in those days, he went out to a mountain to pray. And he was in the prayer of God throughout the night13And when daylight had arrived, he called his disciples. And he chose twelve out of them (whom he also named Apostles)14Simon, whom he surnamed Peter, and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew15Matthew and Thomas, James of Alphaeus, and Simon who is called the Zealot16and Jude of James, and Judas Iscariot, who was a traitor17And descending with them, he stood in a level place with a multitude of his disciples, and a copious multitude of people from all of Judea and Jerusalem and the seacoast, and Tyre and Sidon18who had come so that they might listen to him and be healed of their diseases. And those who were troubled by unclean spirits were cured19And the entire crowd was trying to touch him, because power went out from him and healed all
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the profound connection between faith, identity, and the transformative power of Christ in our lives. In the first reading from Colossians, St. Paul emphasizes the importance of being rooted in Christ and living out our faith with gratitude and authenticity. He warns against the dangers of being swayed by empty philosophies and worldly influences, reminding us that true fulfillment comes only through Christ, who is the head of all creation. Through baptism, we have been united with Christ in his death and resurrection, and our sins have been forgiven. This passage calls us to live in a way that reflects our new life in Christ, free from the burdens of sin and the false promises of the world.
In the Gospel, Luke describes Jesus’ prayerful selection of the Twelve Apostles and his ministry of healing and compassion. Jesus’ decision to choose these ordinary men as his closest disciples underscores God’s preference for the humble and the unlikely. The crowd that gathers around Jesus is drawn not only by his miracles but by the power of his presence, which touches hearts and heals lives. This passage reminds us that our faith is not just about doctrine or rituals but about a living relationship with Christ, who has the power to transform us and the world around us.
Together, these readings encourage us to deepen our relationship with Christ and to live as his disciples in the world. Like the Colossians, we must resist the pull of secularism and materialism, grounding ourselves instead in the truth of the Gospel. Like the crowd in Luke’s Gospel, we are called to approach Christ with openness and faith, trusting in his power to heal and transform us. As we go about our daily lives, let us remember that we are rooted in Christ and that his power flows through us. May we live with gratitude, humility, and a commitment to sharing the love and light of Christ with all we meet.