Daily Readings - Mon Sep 17 2018
1 Corinthians
17But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse.18For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part,19for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized.20When you come together, it is not the Lord's supper that you eat.21For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal. One goes hungry, another gets drunk.22What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not.23For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread,24and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, "This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me."25In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me."26For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.33So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another--
Luke
1After he had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum.2Now a centurion had a servant who was sick and at the point of death, who was highly valued by him.3When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his servant.4And when they came to Jesus, they pleaded with him earnestly, saying, "He is worthy to have you do this for him,5for he loves our nation, and he is the one who built us our synagogue."6And Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to him, "Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof.7Therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed.8For I too am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me: and I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."9When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, "I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith."10And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant well.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful lessons about faith, humility, and unity. The first reading from 1 Corinthians challenges us to reflect on how we approach the Eucharist and our life together as a community. Paul rebukes the Corinthians for their divisions and selfishness during the celebration of the Lord’s Supper, reminding them that the Eucharist is not just a meal but a sacred act of unity and remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice. The second reading from Luke’s Gospel presents the story of the centurion, a man of great faith and humility, who seeks healing for his servant. Despite his position of authority, the centurion recognizes his unworthiness and trusts in Jesus’ power to heal from afar. Jesus, moved by the centurion’s faith, praises him as an example of what it means to trust in God’s providence.
The context of these readings reveals deeper truths about our relationship with God and with one another. In Corinth, the early Christian community was divided by social and economic disparities, which carried over into their celebration of the Eucharist. Paul calls them back to the true meaning of the sacrament, emphasizing that it is not just an individual act but a communal expression of unity and gratitude. In the Gospel, the centurion’s humility stands in stark contrast to the divisions in Corinth. Though he holds power, he does not let it cloud his recognition of his dependence on God. His faith is not about what he can do for himself but about trusting in God’s mercy and love.
These readings remind us that our faith must be lived out in humility and unity. Like the centurion, we are called to recognize our limitations and trust in God’s power to transform our lives. At the same time, we must guard against division and selfishness, as seen in Corinth, and instead strive to build up the Body of Christ through our actions and attitudes. In our daily lives, this means approaching the Eucharist with reverence and gratitude, caring for one another’s needs, and trusting in God’s plan even when we cannot see the full picture. Let us ask for the grace to live with the humility of the centurion and the unity that Christ desires for his Church.