Daily Catholic Mass Readings for September 10, 2017
Psalm 95
1Oh come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!2Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!3For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.4In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also.5The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land.6Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker!7For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Today, if you hear his voice,8do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, as on the day at Massah in the wilderness,9when your fathers put me to the test and put me to the proof, though they had seen my work.10For forty years I loathed that generation and said, "They are a people who go astray in their heart, and they have not known my ways."11Therefore I swore in my wrath, "They shall not enter my rest."
Second Reading: Romans 13.8-10
8Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.9The commandments, "You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet," and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."10Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
Gospel: Matthew 18.15-20
15"If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.16But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.17If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.18Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.19Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.20For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them."
Sermon
In today's readings, we explore the essence of love and community, guided by the teachings of St. Paul and Jesus. The Second Reading from Romans reminds us that love is the fulfillment of the law, emphasizing that loving our neighbor as ourselves is paramount. This love, Paul notes, does no harm and embodies the spirit of the law. The Gospel from Matthew complements this by outlining a structured approach to conflict resolution within the community, stressing the importance of reconciliation and prayer.
The context of these readings is rooted in their respective audiences. Paul's letter to the Romans was addressed to a diverse community, urging them to live harmoniously through love. Matthew's Gospel, part of Jesus' teachings on community life, provides practical steps for handling conflicts, ensuring that love and forgiveness are central. Together, these passages highlight that love is not just a feeling but a actionable principle that guides both our personal interactions and communal life.
In our daily lives, these teachings call us to approach conflicts with love and a willingness to reconcile. Whether in personal relationships or within our communities, we are urged to seek resolution through love and understanding. The moral lesson here is clear: love is the foundation of our actions, shaping how we interact and resolve discord. By embracing this love, we not only fulfill the law but also create a harmonious and compassionate community, reflecting God's presence in our midst.