Daily Readings - Thu Sep 06 2018
1 Corinthians
18Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.19For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, "He catches the wise in their craftiness,"20and again, "The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile."21So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours,22whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future--all are yours,23and you are Christ's, and Christ is God's.
Luke
1On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret,2and he saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets.3Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon's, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat.4And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch."5And Simon answered, "Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets."6And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking.7They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink.8But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord."9For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken,10and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men."11And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound lessons on wisdom and faith. The first reading from 1 Corinthians 3:18-23 cautions against the allure of worldly wisdom, which is fleeting and often deceptive. Paul reminds us that true wisdom lies in recognizing that all things belong to those who belong to Christ, urging us to look beyond human achievements and earthly divisions. This passage is set against the backdrop of the Corinthian church, where divisions arose as members aligned themselves with different leaders. Paul's message is a call to unity and humility, emphasizing that our true allegiance is to Christ.
The Gospel from Luke 5:1-11 presents a pivotal moment in the ministry of Jesus. By the Lake of Gennesaret, Jesus performs a miraculous catch of fish, leading Simon Peter to a profound realization of his own sinfulness and Jesus' divine authority. This miracle serves as a call to discipleship, symbolizing the transition from a life of ordinary labor to one dedicated to spiritual pursuits. The context is the early Galilean ministry of Jesus, where He begins to gather His disciples, demonstrating His power and authority to those who would follow Him.
These readings intertwine beautifully, as the Corinthians' warning against worldly wisdom finds its antidote in the Gospel's call to trust in God's plan. Simon Peter's humility and willingness to obey Jesus, despite the seeming foolishness of the task, exemplify the true wisdom spoken of by Paul. This teaches us to approach life with humility, trusting in God's wisdom even when it challenges our understanding.
In our daily lives, we are often faced with choices that require us to step out in faith, just as Simon Peter did. The readings encourage us to embrace humility and trust in God's providence, even when the path seems uncertain. The moral lesson here is clear: true wisdom is found in surrendering to God's will, recognizing that all we have and are is a gift from Him. Let us, like Simon Peter, respond with humility and obedience, allowing God to guide us into deeper waters, where He promises an abundance beyond our wildest imagination.