Daily Readings - Wed Sep 18 2024

1 Corinthians

Chapter 12

³¹But be zealous for the better charisms. And I reveal to you a yet more excellent way

¹If I were to speak in the language of men, or of Angels, yet not have charity, I would be like a clanging bell or a crashing cymbal²And if I have prophecy, and learn every mystery, and obtain all knowledge, and possess all faith, so that I could move mountains, yet not have charity, then I am nothing³And if I distribute all my goods in order to feed the poor, and if I hand over my body to be burned, yet not have charity, it offers me nothing⁴Charity is patient, is kind. Charity does not envy, does not act wrongly, is not inflated⁵Charity is not ambitious, does not seek for itself, is not provoked to anger, devises no evil⁶Charity does not rejoice over iniquity, but rejoices in truth⁷Charity suffers all, believes all, hopes all, endures all⁸Charity is never torn away, even if prophecies pass away, or languages cease, or knowledge is destroyed⁹For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part¹⁰But when the perfect arrives, the imperfect passes away¹¹When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I understood like a child, I thought like a child. But when I became a man, I put aside the things of a child¹²Now we see through a glass darkly. But then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know, even as I am known¹³But for now, these three continue: faith, hope, and charity. And the greatest of these is charity

Luke

Chapter 7

³¹Then the Lord said: "Therefore, to what shall I compare the men of this generation? And to what are they similar³²They are like children sitting in the marketplace, talking with one another, and saying: ‘We sang to you, and you did not dance. We lamented, and you did not weep.³³For John the Baptist came, neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.³⁴The Son of man came, eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Behold, a voracious man and a drinker of wine, a friend of tax collectors and of sinners.³⁵But wisdom is justified by all her children.

Sermon

In today's readings, we are reminded of the essence of living a virtuous life. The first reading from 1 Corinthians emphasizes the primacy of love, or charity, as the greatest virtue. Paul illustrates that without love, even the most impressive spiritual gifts are hollow. Love is patient, kind, and enduring, and it is this love that truly matters. In the Gospel, Luke presents Jesus comparing the current generation to discontented children, highlighting the futility of trying to please everyone. Jesus points out that true wisdom is recognized by those who embrace it, not by those who criticize without understanding. Both readings offer insights into the human condition. The Corinthians were divided, focusing on spiritual gifts without the love that should motivate them. Jesus, in Luke, faces criticism from those who cannot see the wisdom in his actions. Together, these passages teach us that a life of virtue requires both internal love and external wisdom. They encourage us to look beyond superficial criticisms and focus on living with integrity and compassion. In our daily lives, we often face similar challenges—criticism, expectations, and the pressure to conform. The readings remind us to focus on love and wisdom rather than seeking approval. True fulfillment comes from living with love and integrity, not from external validation. Let us strive to embody the virtues of patience, kindness, and enduring love, recognizing that wisdom is justified by those who live it.