Daily Catholic Mass Readings for August 15, 2017
Psalm 45
1My heart overflows with a pleasing theme; I address my verses to the king; my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe.2You are the most handsome of the sons of men; grace is poured upon your lips; therefore God has blessed you forever.3Gird your sword on your thigh, O mighty one, in your splendor and majesty!4In your majesty ride out victoriously for the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness; let your right hand teach you awesome deeds!5Your arrows are sharp in the heart of the king's enemies; the peoples fall under you.6Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness;7you have loved righteousness and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions;8your robes are all fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia. From ivory palaces stringed instruments make you glad;9daughters of kings are among your ladies of honor; at your right hand stands the queen in gold of Ophir.10Hear, O daughter, and consider, and incline your ear: forget your people and your father's house,11and the king will desire your beauty. Since he is your lord, bow to him.12The people of Tyre will seek your favor with gifts, the richest of the people.13All glorious is the princess in her chamber, with robes interwoven with gold.14In many-colored robes she is led to the king, with her virgin companions following behind her.15With joy and gladness they are led along as they enter the palace of the king.16In place of your fathers shall be your sons; you will make them princes in all the earth.17I will cause your name to be remembered in all generations; therefore nations will praise you forever and ever.
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 15.20-26
20But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.21For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.22For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.23But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.24Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power.25For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.26The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
Gospel: Luke 1.39-56
39In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah,40and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.41And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit,42and she exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!43And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?44For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.45And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord."46And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord,47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,48for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;49for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.50And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.51He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;52he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate;53he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent empty away.54He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy,55as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever."56And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful expressions of faith and transformation. The second reading from 1 Corinthians reminds us of the triumph of Christ’s resurrection, which is not just a historical event but a promise of eternal life for all believers. Paul emphasizes that just as death came through Adam, so too has the resurrection come through Christ. This passage invites us to reflect on the ultimate victory of God over sin and death, and the hope it brings to our lives. The Gospel, taken from Luke, presents the beautiful scene of the Visitation, where Mary, carrying Jesus in her womb, visits her cousin Elizabeth, who is carrying John the Baptist. Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, recognizes the divine presence in Mary and praises her for her faith. Mary, in turn, responds with the Magnificat, a hymn of praise that celebrates God’s mercy, justice, and faithfulness.
The readings are deeply connected in their themes of faith, hope, and the transformative power of God’s grace. In Corinthians, Paul links the resurrection of Christ to the ultimate defeat of all enemies, including death. This hope is not just for the future but is already at work in us, empowering us to live as children of God. In the Gospel, Mary’s faith and trust in God’s plan are exemplified. Her visit to Elizabeth and her joyful praise in the Magnificat show how surrendering to God’s will leads to spiritual transformation and the fulfillment of His promises. Both readings remind us that our faith is not passive but active, calling us to trust in God’s plan and to live with hope and joy, even in the face of challenges.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves how we can apply this faith and hope to our daily lives. Like Mary, we are called to trust in God’s plan, even when it seems uncertain or difficult. Like Paul, we are reminded to live with the confidence that Christ’s resurrection has already begun to transform us and the world around us. Let us strive to magnify God in our hearts and actions, recognizing His mercy and justice in our lives. May we, like Mary and Elizabeth, be bearers of joy and hope to those around us, trusting that God’s promises are being fulfilled in us and through us.