Daily Readings - Tue Sep 01 2020
1 Corinthians
10these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.11For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.12Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.13And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.14The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.15The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one.16"For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ.
Luke
31And he went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee. And he was teaching them on the Sabbath,32and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word possessed authority.33And in the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice,34"Ha! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are--the Holy One of God."35But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent and come out of him!" And when the demon had thrown him down in their midst, he came out of him, having done him no harm.36And they were all amazed and said to one another, "What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!"37And reports about him went out into every place in the surrounding region.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the profound relationship between the Holy Spirit, divine wisdom, and the authority of Christ. In the first reading from 1 Corinthians, St. Paul emphasizes that the truths of God are not accessible through human wisdom alone but are revealed by the Holy Spirit. He contrasts the "animal nature of man," which cannot grasp spiritual realities, with the "spiritual nature" that, through the Spirit, can discern all things. This passage reminds us that our understanding of God’s ways is a gift, one that requires openness to the Holy Spirit.
In the Gospel, Luke presents Jesus teaching in Capernaum with authority, demonstrating His power over evil spirits. When the unclean demon is cast out, the people are struck by the authority of His word. This passage highlights the connection between the Spirit of God and the authority of Christ. Just as the Spirit reveals divine truths to us, Christ’s authority flows from His union with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Together, these readings remind us that true wisdom and power come not from human effort but from the Spirit of God.
In our daily lives, these readings call us to humility and openness. Like the Corinthians, we must recognize that our understanding of God’s will is not our own doing but a grace given by the Spirit. Like the people in Capernaum, we must be in awe of the power of Christ and seek to align our lives with His authority. Let us ask the Holy Spirit to deepen our discernment, to help us see the world through the eyes of faith, and to live with the confidence that comes from knowing we are sons and daughters of God.