Daily Readings - Sat Sep 03 2022
1 Corinthians
6And so, brothers, I have presented these things in myself and in Apollo, for your sakes, so that you may learn, through us, that no one should be inflated against one person and for another, not beyond what has been written7For what distinguishes you from another? And what do you have that you have not received? But if you have received it, why do you glory, as if you had not received it8So, now you have been filled, and now you have been made wealthy, as if to reign without us? But I wish that you would reign, so that we, too, might reign with you9For I think that God has presented us as the last Apostles, as those destined for death. For we have been made into a spectacle for the world, and for Angels, and for men10So we are fools because of Christ, but you are discerning in Christ? We are weak, but you are strong? You are noble, but we are ignoble11Even to this very hour, we hunger and thirst, and we are naked and repeatedly beaten, and we are unsteady12And we labor, working with our own hands. We are slandered, and so we bless. We suffer and endure persecution13We are cursed, and so we pray. We have become like the refuse of this world, like the reside of everything, even until now14I am not writing these things in order to confound you, but in order to admonish you, as my dearest sons15For you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, but not so many fathers. For in Christ Jesus, through the Gospel, I have begotten you
Luke
1Now it happened that, on the second first Sabbath, as he passed through the grain field, his disciples were separating the ears of grain and eating them, by rubbing them in their hands2Then certain Pharisees said to them, "Why are you doing what is not lawful on the Sabbaths?3And responding to them, Jesus said: "Have you not read this, what David did when he was hungry, and those who were with him4How he entered into the house of God, and took the bread of the Presence, and ate it, and gave it to those who were with him, though it is not lawful for anyone to eat it, except the priests alone?5And he said to them, "For the Son of man is Lord, even of the Sabbath.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful lessons on humility and the true spirit of faith. The first reading from 1 Corinthians reminds us that everything we have is a gift from God, urging us to embrace humility and avoid pride. Paul humbly acknowledges his role as a servant of God, emphasizing that true strength lies not in earthly accomplishments but in our reliance on divine grace. The Gospel from Luke presents Jesus challenging the Pharisees’ strict adherence to Sabbath laws, highlighting that compassion and human needs should take precedence over rigid rules. Jesus, as Lord of the Sabbath, teaches that faith should be a source of liberation and love rather than legalism.
Both readings connect through their emphasis on humility and service. Paul’s humility in recognizing God as the source of all gifts mirrors Jesus’ compassionate act of feeding His disciples, showing that true faith is about serving others with love. This teaches us to balance our spiritual practices with practical acts of kindness, ensuring that our faith is not just about rules but about positively impacting the lives of those around us.
In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to stay humble, recognizing the gifts we’ve received, and to approach challenges with compassion. Let us remember that our faith should inspire us to serve others selflessly, just as Jesus did. May we find the courage to live with humility and love, allowing our actions to reflect the grace and mercy of God.