Daily Catholic Mass Readings for September 2, 2022
First Reading: 1 Corinthians 4.1-5
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.
Psalm 37
1Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers!2For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb.3Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.4Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.5Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act.6He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.7Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!8Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.9For the evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the LORD shall inherit the land.10In just a little while, the wicked will be no more; though you look carefully at his place, he will not be there.11But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace.12The wicked plots against the righteous and gnashes his teeth at him,13but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he sees that his day is coming.14The wicked draw the sword and bend their bows to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose way is upright;15their sword shall enter their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.16Better is the little that the righteous has than the abundance of many wicked.17For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous.18The LORD knows the days of the blameless, and their heritage will remain forever;19they are not put to shame in evil times; in the days of famine they have abundance.20But the wicked will perish; the enemies of the LORD are like the glory of the pastures; they vanish--like smoke they vanish away.21The wicked borrows but does not pay back, but the righteous is generous and gives;22for those blessed by the LORD shall inherit the land, but those cursed by him shall be cut off.23The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way;24though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the LORD upholds his hand.25I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread.26He is ever lending generously, and his children become a blessing.27Turn away from evil and do good; so shall you dwell forever.28For the LORD loves justice; he will not forsake his saints. They are preserved forever, but the children of the wicked shall be cut off.29The righteous shall inherit the land and dwell upon it forever.30The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice.31The law of his God is in his heart; his steps do not slip.32The wicked watches for the righteous and seeks to put him to death.33The LORD will not abandon him to his power or let him be condemned when he is brought to trial.34Wait for the LORD and keep his way, and he will exalt you to inherit the land; you will look on when the wicked are cut off.35I have seen a wicked, ruthless man, spreading himself like a green laurel tree.36But he passed away, and behold, he was no more; though I sought him, he could not be found.37Mark the blameless and behold the upright, for there is a future for the man of peace.38But transgressors shall be altogether destroyed; the future of the wicked shall be cut off.39The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; he is their stronghold in the time of trouble.40The LORD helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.
Gospel: Luke 5.33-39
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.