Daily Catholic Mass Readings for September 20, 2017
First Reading: 1 Timothy 3.14-16
14These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly:15But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.16And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
Psalm 111
1Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.2The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.3His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever.4He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion.5He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant.6He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen.7The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure.8They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.9He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.10The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.
Gospel: Luke 7.31-35
31And the Lord said, Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like?32They are like unto children sitting in the marketplace, and calling one to another, and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept.33For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a devil.34The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!35But wisdom is justified of all her children.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of God’s truth and how it is received in the world. In the first reading from 1 Timothy, St. Paul emphasizes the Church as the “pillar and foundation of truth,” a community called to uphold and live out the mystery of God’s plan of salvation. This mystery, revealed in the flesh and glorified in Christ, transcends human understanding and yet is accessible to all through faith. The Church, as the living body of Christ, is entrusted with preserving and proclaiming this truth in a world often hostile or indifferent to it.
In the Gospel, Jesus laments the inconsistency of those who reject both the austere witness of John the Baptist and the joyful, inclusive ministry of Himself. John, who fasted and lived an ascetic life, was dismissed as having a demon, while Jesus, who ate and drank with sinners, was labeled a glutton and a drunkard. This criticism reveals the hardness of heart that resists the truth, no matter how it is presented. Jesus’ words remind us that wisdom is vindicated by her children—those who embrace God’s truth with open hearts and lives.
These readings challenge us to examine how we receive God’s truth in our own lives. Are we open to His Word, no matter how it comes to us? Do we allow ourselves to be shaped by the Church’s teaching, even when it challenges our assumptions? Let us ask for the grace to embrace the mystery of God’s love with humility and joy, trusting that His truth will set us free. In a world that often resists the Gospel, may we be faithful witnesses, living out the mystery of Christ in our daily lives.