Daily Readings - Wed Sep 15 2021

⁷It is Christ who, in the days of his flesh, with a strong cry and tears, offered prayers and supplications to the One who was able to save him from death, and who was heard because of his reverence⁸And although, certainly, he is the Son of God, he learned obedience by the things that he suffered⁹And having reached his consummation, he was made, for all who are obedient to him, the cause of eternal salvation

Gospel - Luke 2.33-35 or John 19.25-27

Luke

Chapter 2

³³And his father and mother were wondering over these things, which were spoken about him³⁴And Simeon blessed them, and he said to his mother Mary: "Behold, this one has been set for the ruin and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and as a sign which will be contradicted³⁵And a sword will pass through your own soul, so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

John

Chapter 19

²⁵And standing beside the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, and Mary of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene²⁶Therefore, when Jesus had seen his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold your son.²⁷Next, he said to the disciple, "Behold your mother." And from that hour, the disciple accepted her as his own

Sermon

The readings today invite us to reflect on the profound connection between suffering, obedience, and salvation. In the first reading from Hebrews, we encounter Jesus, the Son of God, who, in His humanity, offered prayers and supplications with cries and tears. Though He was divine, He learned obedience through suffering, and this obedience led to His perfection as the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him. This passage reminds us that even the Son of God was not spared the trials of human life, and it is through His perseverance that He became our high priest, understanding and empathizing with our weaknesses. In the Gospel, Luke presents Simeon’s prophecy at the temple, where he reveals that Jesus will be a sign of contradiction, causing both the ruin and resurrection of many. Simeon also foretells the suffering of Mary, the Mother of God, as a sword would pierce her soul. This passage underscores the transformative power of faith and the inevitable divisions that come with it. Jesus’ mission would challenge the status quo, leading some to fall away and others to rise in faith. Mary’s suffering, in particular, becomes a symbol of the universal experience of those who follow Christ—carrying the cross of faith with courage and trust in God’s plan. These readings, when taken together, offer a powerful spiritual reflection. They remind us that faith is not without its challenges and contradictions. Like Jesus, we are called to obedience, even in the face of suffering. Like Mary, we are invited to embrace the sword that pierces our souls, trusting that God’s plan is greater than our understanding. In our daily lives, we are often faced with choices that require us to stand firm in our beliefs, even when they lead to division or hardship. Let us draw strength from the example of Jesus and Mary, knowing that our perseverance in faith can lead to transformation and salvation—not just for ourselves, but for others as well. May we learn to embrace the cross with courage and trust, allowing it to shape us into instruments of God’s grace in a world that often resists His truth.