Daily Readings - Fri Sep 02 2022
1 Corinthians
1This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.2Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy.3But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself.4I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me.5Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.
Luke
33And they said to him, "The disciples of John fast often and offer prayers, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours eat and drink."34And Jesus said to them, "Can you make wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them?35The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days."36He also told them a parable: "No one tears a piece from a new garment and puts it on an old garment. If he does, he will tear the new, and the piece from the new will not match the old.37And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins and it will be spilled, and the skins will be destroyed.38But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins.39And no one after drinking old wine desires new, for he says, 'The old is good.'"
Sermon
Today’s readings invite us to reflect on the nature of faith, judgment, and the newness of God’s plan. In the first reading from 1 Corinthians, St. Paul humbly reminds us that we are but ministers of Christ, entrusted with the mysteries of God. He warns against judging others or ourselves prematurely, for it is the Lord who will ultimately judge us. Paul emphasizes faithfulness as the primary virtue for those who serve God, and he cautions against complacency, reminding us that our true worth is measured not by human standards but by God’s judgment.
In the Gospel, Jesus responds to criticism about his disciples’ lack of fasting by comparing himself to a groom celebrating with his friends. He explains that his presence brings joy, and fasting is unnecessary while he is with them. Jesus then uses two parables—the patch on the garment and the new wine in old wineskins—to illustrate that his message cannot be confined to the old ways of thinking. The newness of his teaching requires openness and a willingness to embrace change, rather than clinging to outdated traditions.
Together, these readings remind us that our faith is not about rigid rules or external appearances but about trusting in God’s plan and remaining open to the newness of life he offers. In a world that often values judgment and control, we are called to humility, faithfulness, and a willingness to let go of the old to embrace the new. Let us ask ourselves: Are we open to the Holy Spirit’s guidance in our lives? Do we trust in God’s judgment rather than our own? May we, like St. Paul, focus on being faithful servants, and may we, like Jesus’ disciples, embrace the joy and freedom of the Gospel with open hearts.