Daily Readings - Wed Aug 31 2022
1 Corinthians
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
Luke
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 powerful lessons about humility, service, and the nature of God’s work in the world. The first reading from 1 Corinthians reminds us that we are all spiritual infants, still in need of growth and guidance. Paul humbly acknowledges that he and other ministers are merely servants of God, planting and watering the seeds of faith, but it is God alone who gives the growth. This passage challenges us to recognize our limitations and to trust in God’s providence, rather than relying on our own strength or divisions. The second reading from Luke’s Gospel shows Jesus as the ultimate servant, healing the sick and casting out demons, yet always remaining focused on His mission to preach the Kingdom of God. Despite the crowds’ desire to keep Him close, Jesus knows His work is far from over, and He moves on to fulfill His calling.
The readings are deeply connected in their emphasis on God’s initiative and our role as cooperators in His plan. Just as Paul and Apollos are merely instruments of God’s grace, Jesus’ miracles and teachings are not for His own glory but to reveal the Father’s love. Both readings remind us that our efforts, no matter how noble, are only fruitful when they are aligned with God’s will. This is a call to humility and trust, encouraging us to let go of envy, contention, and the desire for human recognition.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to reflect on how we serve others and how we understand our role in the world. Are we like the Corinthians, divided by pride and self-interest, or are we like Jesus, who emptied Himself to serve and preach the Kingdom? Let us ask for the grace to be humble servants, trusting in God’s power to bring fruit to our efforts. May we, like Jesus, remain focused on our mission to love and serve, knowing that the true work is God’s, and we are merely His instruments.