Daily Catholic Mass Readings for September 12, 2022
First Reading: 1 Corinthians 11.17-26, 33
17Now I caution you, without praising, about this: that you assemble together, and not for better, but for worse18First of all, indeed, I hear that when you assemble together in the church, there are schisms among you. And I believe this, in part19For there must also be heresies, so that those who have been tested may be made manifest among you20And so, when you assemble together as one, it is no longer in order to eat the Lord’s supper21For each one first takes his own supper to eat. And as a result, one person is hungry, while another is inebriated22Do you not have houses, in which to eat and drink? Or do you have such contempt for the Church of God that you would confound those who do not have such contempt? What should I say to you? Should I praise you? I am not praising you in this23For I have received from the Lord what I have also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus, on the same night that he was handed over, took bread24and giving thanks, he broke it, and said: "Take and eat. This is my body, which shall be given up for you. Do this in remembrance of me.25Similarly also, the cup, after he had eaten supper, saying: "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.26For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord, until he returns33And so, my brothers, when you assemble together to eat, be attentive to one another
Psalm 40
1Unto the end. A Psalm of David himself. I have waited expectantly for the Lord, and he was attentive to me2And he heard my prayers and he led me out of the pit of misery and the quagmire. And he stationed my feet upon a rock, and he directed my steps3And he sent a new canticle into my mouth, a song to our God. Many will see, and they will fear; and they will hope in the Lord4Blessed is the man whose hope is in the name of the Lord, and who has no respect for vanities and absurd falsehoods5You have accomplished your many wonders, O Lord my God, and there is no one similar to you in your thoughts. I have announced and I have spoken: they are multiplied beyond number6Sacrifice and oblation, you did not want. But you have perfected ears for me. Holocaust and sin offering, you did not require7Then I said, "Behold, I draw near." At the head of the book, it has been written of me8that I should do your will. My God, I have willed it. And your law is in the midst of my heart9I have announced your justice in a great Church: behold, I will not restrain my lips. O Lord, you have known it10I have not concealed your justice within my heart. I have spoken your truth and your salvation. I have not concealed your mercy and your truth from a great assembly11O Lord, do not take your tender mercies far from me. Your mercy and your truth ever sustain me12For evils without number have surrounded me. My iniquities have taken hold of me, and I was not able to see. They have been multiplied beyond the hairs of my head. And my heart has forsaken me13Be pleased, O Lord, to rescue me. Look down, O Lord, to help me14Let them together be confounded and awed, who seek after my soul to steal it away. Let them be turned back and be in awe, who wish evils upon me15Let them bear their confusion all at once, who say to me, "Well, well.16Let all who seek you exult and rejoice over you. And let those who love your salvation always say, "May the Lord be magnified.17But I am a beggar and poor. The Lord has been concerned about me. You are my helper and my protector. My God, do not delay
Gospel: Luke 7.1-10
1And when he had completed all his words in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum2Now the servant of a certain centurion was dying, due to an illness. And he was very dear to him3And when he had heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to him, petitioning him, so that he would come and heal his servant4And when they had come to Jesus, they petitioned him anxiously, saying to him: "He is worthy that you should provide this to him5For he loves our nation, and he has built a synagogue for us.6Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying: "Lord, do not trouble yourself. For I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof7Because of this, I also did not consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant shall be healed8For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.9And upon hearing this, Jesus was amazed. And turning to the multitude following him, he said, "Amen I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such great faith.10And those who had been sent, upon returning to the house, found that the servant, who had been sick, was now healthy
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two distinct scenarios that invite us to reflect on our approach to the sacred and our faith. The first reading from 1 Corinthians addresses the Corinthians' improper behavior during the Lord's Supper. Paul admonishes them for their selfishness and lack of reverence, reminding them of the Eucharist's profound significance as a proclamation of Christ's sacrifice. He emphasizes the need for self-examination and respect for the sacrament.
In contrast, the Gospel from Luke presents the centurion, a man of humility and faith. Despite his social standing, he recognizes his unworthiness and yet trusts in Jesus' power to heal his servant. His faith is not in his own merits but in God's grace, leading Jesus to commend him for his extraordinary faith.
These readings juxtapose two attitudes: the Corinthians' disrespect and the centurion's humility. They challenge us to approach sacred moments with reverence and selflessness. In our daily lives, let us embrace humility and faith, recognizing the grace offered to us. May we, like the centurion, approach God with hearts open to His will, and may we honor the sacred with the respect and gratitude it deserves.