Daily Catholic Mass Readings for September 12, 2025
First Reading: 1 Timothy 1.1-2, 12-14
1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope,2To Timothy, my true child in the faith:Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.12I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service,13though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief,14and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
Psalm 16
1Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.2I say to the LORD, "You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you."3As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.4The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply; their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names on my lips.5The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.6The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.7I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me.8I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.9Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.10For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.11You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Gospel: Luke 6.39-42
39He also told them a parable: "Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit?40A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.41Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?42How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother's eye.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful messages about transformation, humility, and the call to live out our faith with integrity. The first reading from 1 Timothy finds Paul expressing deep gratitude to God for the mercy and grace he has received. Despite his past as a blasphemer and persecutor of the Church, Paul humbly acknowledges that God’s grace has transformed him, enabling him to serve as a minister of the Gospel. This passage reminds us that none of us are beyond the reach of God’s mercy and that our past does not define us when we turn to Him with faith and repentance.
The Gospel from Luke complements this message with Jesus’ teachings on humility and self-awareness. Using the vivid parable of the blind leading the blind, Jesus warns against the dangers of hypocrisy and the importance of examining our own lives before judging others. He challenges us to recognize the "plank" in our own eye before trying to remove the "straw" from our brother’s eye. This is not a call to ignore the faults of others but rather to approach them with humility and honesty, first acknowledging our own need for conversion and growth.
These readings invite us to reflect on our own lives and relationships. Like Paul, we are called to embrace God’s mercy and allow it to transform us. Like Jesus teaches, we must approach others with compassion and humility, recognizing that we are all in need of grace. In our daily lives, this means being honest about our own shortcomings, seeking forgiveness, and striving to grow in holiness. It also means approaching others with kindness and patience, rather than judgment. Let us ask for the grace to see ourselves as we truly are and to live with the humility and love that God calls us to.