Daily Catholic Mass Readings for September 15, 2025
First Reading: Hebrews 5.7-9
7It is Christ who, in the days of his flesh, with a strong cry and tears, offered prayers and supplications to the One who was able to save him from death, and who was heard because of his reverence8And although, certainly, he is the Son of God, he learned obedience by the things that he suffered9And having reached his consummation, he was made, for all who are obedient to him, the cause of eternal salvation
Psalm 31
1Unto the end. A Psalm of David according to an ecstasy. In you, Lord, I have hoped; let me never be confounded. In your justice, deliver me2Incline your ear to me. Hasten to rescue me. Be for me a protector God and a house of refuge, so as to accomplish my salvation3For you are my strength and my refuge; and for the sake of your name, you will lead me and nourish me4You will lead me out of this snare, which they have hidden for me. For you are my protector5Into your hands, I commend my spirit. You have redeemed me, O Lord, God of truth6You have hated those who practice emptiness to no purpose. But I have hoped in the Lord7I will exult and rejoice in your mercy. For you have looked upon my humility; you have saved my soul from needfulness8And you have not enclosed me in the hands of the enemy. You have set my feet in a spacious place9Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am troubled. My eye has been disturbed by wrath, along with my soul and my gut10For my life has fallen into sorrow, and my years into sighing. My virtue has been weakened in poverty, and my bones have been disturbed11I have become a disgrace among all my enemies, and even more so to my neighbors, and a dread to my acquaintances. Those who catch sight of me, flee away from me12I have become forgotten, like one dead to the heart. I have become like a damaged utensil13For I have heard the harsh criticism of many who linger in the area. While assembled together against me in that place, they deliberated on how to take away my life14But I have hoped in you, O Lord. I said, "You are my God.15My fate is in your hands. Rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from those who are persecuting me16Shine your face upon your servant. Save me in your mercy17Do not let me be confounded, Lord, for I have called upon you. Let the impious be ashamed and be drawn down into Hell18May deceitful lips be silenced: those that speak iniquity against the just, in arrogance and in abusiveness19How great is the multitude of your sweetness, O Lord, which you keep hidden for those who fear you, which you have perfected for those who hope in you, in the sight of the sons of men20You hide them in the concealment of your face, from the disturbance of men. You protect them in your tabernacle, from the contradiction of tongues21Blessed is the Lord. For he has shown his wonderful mercy to me, in a fortified city22But I said in the excess of my mind: "I have been cast away from the glance of your eyes." And so, you heeded the voice of my prayer, while I was still crying out to you23Love the Lord, all you his saints. For the Lord will require truth, and he will abundantly repay those who act with arrogance24Act manfully, and let your heart be strengthened, all you who hope in the Lord
Gospel: Luke 2.33-35 or John 19.25-27
33And his father and mother were wondering over these things, which were spoken about him34And Simeon blessed them, and he said to his mother Mary: "Behold, this one has been set for the ruin and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and as a sign which will be contradicted35And a sword will pass through your own soul, so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
25And standing beside the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, and Mary of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene26Therefore, when Jesus had seen his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold your son.27Next, he said to the disciple, "Behold your mother." And from that hour, the disciple accepted her as his own
Sermon
The first reading from the Letter to the Hebrews presents Jesus as both the Son of God and the one who learned obedience through suffering. It highlights that Jesus, though divine, embraced his humanity fully, enduring the trials and pains of this world. His prayers and tears were heard by the Father, not because he was spared suffering, but because his reverence and trust in God’s plan were unwavering. This passage reminds us that even in our struggles, our faith and obedience can lead us to deeper union with God.
The Gospel from Luke describes the moment when Mary and Joseph presented the infant Jesus in the Temple. Simeon, a righteous and devout man, recognized Jesus as the Messiah and proclaimed that he would be a sign of contradiction, meaning that Jesus’ mission would divide hearts and reveal the thoughts of many. Simeon also spoke directly to Mary, foretelling the suffering she would endure as the mother of the Savior, symbolized by the sword that would pierce her soul. This passage invites us to reflect on the mystery of faith and the cross, which are inseparable in the life of a disciple.
Together, these readings teach us about the transformative power of obedience and suffering. Jesus, though sinless, accepted the will of the Father and learned obedience through his trials. Mary, too, accepted her role as the Mother of God, embracing the suffering that came with it. For us, this means that our own struggles and challenges are opportunities to grow in faith and obedience. Like Jesus and Mary, we are called to trust in God’s plan, even when it is difficult to understand. Let us ask for the grace to embrace our crosses with courage and to allow our trials to deepen our union with Christ, who is the source of eternal salvation.