Daily Catholic Mass Readings for September 17, 2021
First Reading: 1 Timothy 6.2c-12
2But those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brothers, but rather serve them all the more because they are believing and beloved, participants of the same service. Teach and exhort these things3If anyone teaches otherwise, and does not consent to the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to that doctrine which is in accord with piety4then he is arrogant, knowing nothing, yet languishing amid the questions and quarrels of words. From these arise envy, contention, blasphemy, evil suspicions5the conflicts of men who have been corrupted in mind and deprived of truth, who consider profit to be piety6But piety with sufficiency is great gain7For we brought nothing into this world, and there is no doubt that we can take nothing away8But, having nourishment and some kind of covering, we should be content with these9For those who want to become rich fall into temptation and into the snare of the devil and into many useless and harmful desires, which submerge men in destruction and in perdition10For desire is the root of all evils. Some persons, hungering in this way, have strayed from the faith and have entangled themselves in many sorrows11But you, O man of God, flee from these things, and truly pursue justice, piety, faith, charity, patience, meekness12Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you have been called, and make a good profession of faith in the sight of many witnesses
Psalm 49
1Unto the end. A Psalm to the sons of Korah. Hear these things, all nations. Pay attention, all inhabitants of the world2whoever is earth-born, you sons of men, together as one, the rich and the poor3My mouth will speak wisdom, and the meditation of my heart will speak prudence4I will incline my ear to a parable. I will open my case with the psaltery5Why should I fear in the evil day? The iniquity at my heel will surround me6Those who trust in their own strength and who glory in the multitude of their riches7no brother redeems, nor will man buy back. He will not give to God his appeasement8nor the price for the redemption of his soul. And he will labor continuously9and he will still live, until the end10He will not see death, when he sees the wise dying: the foolish and the senseless will perish together. And they will leave their riches to strangers11And their sepulchers will be their houses forever, their tabernacles from generation to generation. They have called their names in their own lands12And man, when he was held in honor, did not understand. He has been compared to the senseless beasts, and he has become like them13This way of theirs is a scandal to them. And afterwards, they will delight in their mouth14They have been placed in Hell like sheep. Death will feed on them. And the just will have dominion over them in the morning. And their help will grow old in Hell for their glory15Even so, truly God will redeem my soul from the hand of Hell, when he will receive me16Do not be afraid, when a man will have been made rich, and when the glory of his house will have been multiplied17For when he dies, he will take nothing away, and his glory will not descend with him18For his soul will be blessed in his lifetime, and he will admit to you when you do good to him19He will even enter with the progeny of his fathers, but, even in eternity, he will not see the light20Man, when he was in honor, did not understand. He has been compared to the senseless beasts, and he has become like them
Gospel: Luke 8.1-3
1And it happened afterwards that he was making a journey through the cities and towns, preaching and evangelizing the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him2along with certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, who is called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had departed3and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many other women, who were ministering to him from their resources
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the relationship between faith, service, and the dangers of materialism. In the first reading from 1 Timothy, St. Paul emphasizes the importance of living a life of piety and contentment. He warns against the corrupting influence of wealth and the empty disputes that arise from a life focused on profit rather than truth. He calls us to pursue virtues like justice, faith, and charity, reminding us that true wealth lies in living a life grounded in God. The Gospel from Luke presents Jesus traveling and preaching with his disciples, accompanied by women who supported him financially and practically. This passage highlights the importance of community and the diverse roles we play in supporting one another in the mission of the kingdom.
The readings are connected by the theme of dependence on God and on one another. In 1 Timothy, Paul warns against the arrogance of self-sufficiency and the dangers of letting wealth distract us from what truly matters. In the Gospel, the women who support Jesus demonstrate that living a life of faith requires collaboration and mutual support. Both readings remind us that our ultimate security and fulfillment come not from material possessions but from our relationship with God and our commitment to living out His will.
In our daily lives, these readings challenge us to examine our priorities. Are we content with what we have, or do we constantly seek more? Do we recognize the value of serving others and being part of a community that supports one another? Let us strive to live simply, trusting in God’s providence and finding joy in using our resources to serve others. As St. Paul encourages, let us “fight the good fight of faith” and pursue a life of virtue and love. In doing so, we will find true wealth in the depths of God’s love and in the relationships we build along the way.