Daily Readings - Tue Sep 10 2024

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 explore themes of community, conflict resolution, and the transformative power of faith. The first reading from 1 Corinthians addresses disputes among believers, urging them to resolve conflicts within the church rather than secular courts. Paul reminds the Corinthians of their sanctification through Christ, emphasizing a life free from sin. The Gospel from Luke describes Jesus selecting the Twelve Apostles and healing many, illustrating the expansion of His ministry and the community's role in spreading His teachings. The context of these readings reveals the challenges of the early Christian community. In Corinthians, Paul guides believers in handling internal disputes, highlighting the importance of wisdom and integrity within the church. In Luke, the selection of the Apostles marks a significant moment in preparing for the spread of Jesus' message, showcasing His healing power and the community's outreach. Both readings emphasize the importance of living as a sanctified people. Corinthians focuses on internal community dynamics, while Luke highlights expansion and outreach. Together, they remind us to resolve conflicts with love and seek wisdom within our faith community. The moral lesson is clear: live with integrity, avoid sin, and be instruments of healing and grace, reflecting Christ's transformative power in our lives.