Daily Catholic Mass Readings for September 21, 2022
First Reading: Ephesians 4.1-7, 11-13
1And so, as a prisoner in the Lord, I beg you to walk in a manner worthy of the vocation to which you have been called2with all humility and meekness, with patience, supporting one another in charity3Be anxious to preserve the unity of the Spirit within the bonds of peace4One body and one Spirit: to this you have been called by the one hope of your calling5one Lord, one faith, one baptism6one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in us all7Yet to each one of us there has been given grace according to the measure allotted by Christ11And the same one granted that some would be Apostles, and some Prophets, yet truly others evangelists, and others pastors and teachers12for the sake of the perfection of the saints, by the work of the ministry, in the edification of the body of Christ13until we all meet in the unity of faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as a perfect man, in the measure of the age of the fullness of Christ
Psalm 19
1Unto the end. A Psalm of David. The heavens describe the glory of God, and the firmament announces the work of his hands2Day proclaims the word to day, and night to night imparts knowledge3There are no speeches or conversations, where their voices are not being heard4Their sound has gone forth through all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world5He has placed his tabernacle in the sun, and he is like a bridegroom coming out of his bedroom. He has exulted like a giant running along the way6his departure is from the summit of heaven. And his course reaches all the way to its summit. Neither is there anyone who can hide himself from his heat7The law of the Lord is immaculate, converting souls. The testimony of the Lord is faithful, providing wisdom to little ones8The justice of the Lord is right, rejoicing hearts. The precepts of the Lord are brilliant, enlightening the eyes9The fear of the Lord is holy, enduring for all generations. The judgments of the Lord are true, justified in themselves10desirable beyond gold and many precious stones, and sweeter than honey and the honeycomb11For, indeed, your servant keeps them, and in keeping them, there are many rewards12Who can understand transgression? From my hidden faults, cleanse me, O Lord13and from those of others, spare your servant. If they will have no dominion over me, then I will be immaculate, and I will be cleansed from the greatest transgression14And the eloquence of my mouth will be so as to please, along with the meditation of my heart, in your sight, forever, O Lord, my helper and my redeemer
Gospel: Matthew 9.9-13
9And when Jesus passed on from there, he saw, sitting at the tax office, a man named Matthew. And he said to him, "Follow me." And rising up, he followed him10And it happened that, as he was sitting down to eat in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners arrived, and they sat down to eat with Jesus and his disciples11And the Pharisees, seeing this, said to his disciples, "Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?12But Jesus, hearing this, said: "It is not those who are healthy who are in need of a physician, but those who have maladies13So then, go out and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the just, but sinners.
Sermon
In today's readings, we are reminded of the profound call to live a life of unity and compassion. The first reading from Ephesians encourages us to embrace our diverse roles within the Church, fostering unity through humility and patience. It highlights that each of us has been gifted by God to contribute to the community's growth and perfection. The Gospel from Matthew illustrates Jesus' mission to reach out to sinners, emphasizing that His ministry is one of mercy and inclusion, not exclusion or judgment.
The context of Ephesians is a letter to the early Christian community, urging believers to live in harmony and recognize the unique gifts each person brings. This diversity strengthens the body of Christ, enabling it to function effectively. In Matthew, Jesus' encounter with Matthew, a tax collector, and His subsequent dining with sinners, challenges the Pharisees' rigid views, underscoring that His mission is to bring healing and mercy to those who need it most.
These readings connect through their emphasis on unity and outreach. Ephesians calls us to unity despite our differences, while Matthew shows Jesus actively seeking out those on the margins. Together, they teach us that the Church is a place of inclusion, where everyone has a role and is deserving of mercy.
In our daily lives, we are called to live with humility and patience, recognizing the gifts in others and ourselves. We should strive to create communities that welcome everyone, reflecting the inclusive love of Christ. Just as Jesus reached out to sinners, we too should extend compassion and understanding, rather than judgment, to those around us.
The moral lesson here is clear: our faith is not about isolation but about connection and mercy. We are all part of the body of Christ, each with a unique role, and we are called to live in unity and love. Let us reflect on how we can embody these values, embracing our diversity and reaching out with the same mercy and compassion that Jesus showed.