Daily Catholic Mass Readings for September 10, 2024
First Reading: 1 Corinthians 6.1-11
1When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints?2Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases?3Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life!4So if you have such cases, why do you lay them before those who have no standing in the church?5I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to settle a dispute between the brothers,6but brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers?7To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded?8But you yourselves wrong and defraud--even your own brothers!9Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality,10nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.11And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
Psalm 149
1Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise in the assembly of the godly!2Let Israel be glad in his Maker; let the children of Zion rejoice in their King!3Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre!4For the LORD takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation.5Let the godly exult in glory; let them sing for joy on their beds.6Let the high praises of God be in their throats and two-edged swords in their hands,7to execute vengeance on the nations and punishments on the peoples,8to bind their kings with chains and their nobles with fetters of iron,9to execute on them the judgment written! This is honor for all his godly ones. Praise the LORD!
Gospel: Luke 6.12-19
12In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God.13And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles:14Simon, whom he named Peter, and Andrew his brother, and James and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew,15and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot,16and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.17And he came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon,18who came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. And those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured.19And all the crowd sought to touch him, for power came out from him and healed them all.
Sermon
In today's readings, we explore themes of community, conflict resolution, and the transformative power of faith. The first reading from 1 Corinthians addresses disputes among believers, urging them to resolve conflicts within the church rather than secular courts. Paul reminds the Corinthians of their sanctification through Christ, emphasizing a life free from sin. The Gospel from Luke describes Jesus selecting the Twelve Apostles and healing many, illustrating the expansion of His ministry and the community's role in spreading His teachings.
The context of these readings reveals the challenges of the early Christian community. In Corinthians, Paul guides believers in handling internal disputes, highlighting the importance of wisdom and integrity within the church. In Luke, the selection of the Apostles marks a significant moment in preparing for the spread of Jesus' message, showcasing His healing power and the community's outreach.
Both readings emphasize the importance of living as a sanctified people. Corinthians focuses on internal community dynamics, while Luke highlights expansion and outreach. Together, they remind us to resolve conflicts with love and seek wisdom within our faith community. The moral lesson is clear: live with integrity, avoid sin, and be instruments of healing and grace, reflecting Christ's transformative power in our lives.