Daily Catholic Mass Readings for September 1, 2020
First Reading: 1 Corinthians 2.10b-16
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.
Psalm 145
1I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever.2Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever.3Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.4One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.5On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.6They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds, and I will declare your greatness.7They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.8The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.9The LORD is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made.10All your works shall give thanks to you, O LORD, and all your saints shall bless you!11They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom and tell of your power,12to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.13Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations.[The LORD is faithful in all his words and kind in all his works.]14The LORD upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down.15The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season.16You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing.17The LORD is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works.18The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.19He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them.20The LORD preserves all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.21My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD, and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever.
Gospel: Luke 4.31-37
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.