Daily Catholic Mass Readings for September 15, 2023
First Reading: Hebrews 5.7-9
7In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence.8Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.9And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him,
Psalm 31
1In you, O LORD, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me!2Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily! Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me!3For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name's sake you lead me and guide me;4you take me out of the net they have hidden for me, for you are my refuge.5Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God.6I hate those who pay regard to worthless idols, but I trust in the LORD.7I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love, because you have seen my affliction; you have known the distress of my soul,8and you have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy; you have set my feet in a broad place.9Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eye is wasted from grief; my soul and my body also.10For my life is spent with sorrow, and my years with sighing; my strength fails because of my iniquity, and my bones waste away.11Because of all my adversaries I have become a reproach, especially to my neighbors, and an object of dread to my acquaintances; those who see me in the street flee from me.12I have been forgotten like one who is dead; I have become like a broken vessel.13For I hear the whispering of many--terror on every side!--as they scheme together against me, as they plot to take my life.14But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, "You are my God."15My times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors!16Make your face shine on your servant; save me in your steadfast love!17O LORD, let me not be put to shame, for I call upon you; let the wicked be put to shame; let them go silently to Sheol.18Let the lying lips be mute, which speak insolently against the righteous in pride and contempt.19Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind!20In the cover of your presence you hide them from the plots of men; you store them in your shelter from the strife of tongues.21Blessed be the LORD, for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me when I was in a besieged city.22I had said in my alarm, "I am cut off from your sight." But you heard the voice of my pleas for mercy when I cried to you for help.23Love the LORD, all you his saints! The LORD preserves the faithful but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride.24Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the LORD!
Gospel: Luke 2.33-35 or John 19.25-27
33And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him.34And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed35(and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed."
25but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.26When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son!"27Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother!" And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect deeply on the mystery of Christ's mission and its implications for our own lives. In the first reading from Hebrews, we hear of Jesus, who, though the Son of God, learned obedience through suffering. This passage emphasizes that Christ's journey was not one of ease but of profound struggle and prayer. It reminds us that even in our own struggles, we can turn to God with cries and tears, trusting that He hears us. Jesus' obedience, far from being a sign of weakness, became the source of salvation for all who follow Him.
In the Gospel, Luke presents Simeon's prophecy, which reveals the duality of Christ's mission: He is both a cause of ruin and resurrection, a sign of contradiction. These words speak to the transformative power of Christ, who challenges us to confront our own hearts. Simeon's words to Mary, that a sword would pierce her soul, remind us that following Christ comes with a cost. It is through this suffering and contradiction that the thoughts of many hearts are revealed, calling us to examine our own hearts and align them with God's will.
These readings call us to embrace obedience and trust in God's plan, even when it leads us through trials. Like Mary, we are invited to stand faithfully, allowing the sword of God's truth to pierce our hearts, revealing our true intentions and desires. In a world often resistant to the Gospel, we are reminded that our faith will sometimes lead to contradiction and challenge. Yet, it is precisely through these struggles that we grow in holiness and become instruments of salvation for others. Let us, therefore, embrace the cross with courage, knowing that in doing so, we participate in Christ's mission of redemption.