Daily Readings - Tue Sep 06 2022

¹How is it that anyone of you, having a dispute against another, would dare to be judged before the iniquitous, and not before the saints²Or do you not know that the saints from this age shall judge it? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you unworthy, then, to judge even the smallest matters³Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more the things of this age⁴Therefore, if you have matters to judge concerning this age, why not appoint those who are most contemptible in the Church to judge these things⁵But I am speaking so as to shame you. Is there no one among you wise enough, so that he might be able to judge between his brothers⁶Instead, brother contends against brother in court, and this before the unfaithful⁷Now there is certainly an offense among you, beyond everything else, when you have court cases against one another. Should you not accept injury instead? Should you not endure being cheated instead⁸But you are doing the injuring and the cheating, and this toward brothers⁹Do you not know that the iniquitous will not possess the kingdom of God? Do not choose to wander astray. For neither fornicators, nor servants of idolatry, nor adulterers¹⁰nor the effeminate, nor males who sleep with males, nor thieves, nor the avaricious, nor the inebriated, nor slanderers, nor the rapacious shall possess the kingdom of God¹¹And some of you were like this. But you have been absolved, but you have been sanctified, but you have been justified: all in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God

Luke

Chapter 6

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

In today's readings, we encounter two profound themes that guide us in our faith journey. The first reading from 1 Corinthians 6:1-11 addresses the importance of resolving disputes within the Christian community, urging believers to seek judgment from the saints rather than secular courts. Paul reminds the Corinthians that their new identity in Christ calls them to live a life of holiness, free from the sins of the past. The Gospel from Luke 6:12-19 presents Jesus prayerfully selecting His twelve apostles, embodying His mission to form a community of disciples. He then heals the multitude, demonstrating His divine power and compassion. Both readings emphasize the significance of community and living according to God's will. In Corinthians, Paul challenges the church to handle conflicts with love and wisdom, reflecting their identity as children of God. In Luke, Jesus' selection of the apostles and His healing ministry illustrate the heart of His mission: forming a community that serves and heals. These passages remind us that our faith is not individualistic but communal, requiring us to live in harmony and service to others. Applying these teachings to our daily lives, we are called to approach disputes with grace and seek resolution within our faith community. We should strive to be like Jesus, reaching out with compassion and healing to those around us. The moral reflection here is clear: our identity in Christ compels us to live as children of light, reflecting His holiness and love in all we do. May we embrace this call, living as a community that heals and serves, just as Jesus did.