Daily Readings - Sat Sep 10 2022
1 Corinthians
14Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.15I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say.16The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?17Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.18Consider the people of Israel: are not those who eat the sacrifices participants in the altar?19What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything?20No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons.21You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons.22Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?
Luke
43"For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit,44for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush.45The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.46"Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you?47Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like:48he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.49But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great."
Sermon
In today's readings, we explore profound teachings from St. Paul and Jesus, both emphasizing the importance of living a life rooted in faith and integrity.
First, St. Paul addresses the Corinthian church, urging them to avoid idolatry and to fully embrace the Eucharist as a communion with Christ. He warns against the dangers of idolatrous practices, which can lead to spiritual corruption, and reminds us that our participation in the Eucharist is a sacred bond with Christ. This teaching serves as a reminder to examine our priorities and ensure that our hearts are not divided between God and worldly desires.
In the Gospel, Jesus uses the parable of the tree and its fruits to illustrate that true faith is demonstrated through actions, not just words. He teaches that a life built on His teachings is like a house founded on rock, able to withstand life's challenges. Conversely, a life that hears His words but does not act is like a house built on sand, vulnerable to collapse. This parable challenges us to reflect on how we live out our faith in daily life.
These readings connect by highlighting the necessity of authenticity and integrity in our faith. St. Paul warns against superficial religious practices, while Jesus emphasizes the importance of putting faith into action. In our daily lives, this means not just attending church but also living according to Christ's teachings. It means avoiding the idolatry of modern distractions and instead prioritizing a deep, personal relationship with God.
As we reflect on these teachings, let us consider how we can build a strong spiritual foundation. May we strive to live a life that truly reflects our faith, bearing fruit through our actions and choices, and may we always seek to deepen our communion with Christ.