Daily Readings - Wed Sep 19 2018
1 Corinthians
31But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.
1Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.2And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.3And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.4Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,5Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;6Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;7Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.8Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.9For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.10But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.11When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.12For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.13And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
Luke
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
Dear friends in Christ,
Today’s readings invite us to reflect on the essence of living a life rooted in love and wisdom. In the first reading from 1 Corinthians, St. Paul reminds us that without charity, all our gifts and actions are empty. He beautifully describes charity as patient, kind, and enduring, emphasizing that it is the greatest of all virtues. This passage is part of Paul’s larger discussion on spiritual gifts, urging the Corinthians to focus on the most important gift of all—love.
In the Gospel, Jesus uses a parable to illustrate the inconsistency of those who criticize both John the Baptist and himself. John was accused of being too austere, while Jesus was criticized for being too worldly. Jesus’ words highlight the fickle nature of those who refuse to see the truth. This passage is part of Luke’s narrative, where Jesus responds to the Pharisees’ accusations, emphasizing that true wisdom is justified by its fruits.
Both readings remind us that living a virtuous life is not about external appearances or fleeting opinions but about cultivating love and integrity. Paul’s emphasis on charity and Jesus’ parable about wisdom call us to focus on what truly matters: living with compassion, humility, and sincerity. In a world often driven by criticism and division, we are invited to anchor our lives in the enduring power of love and wisdom.
May we strive to embody the charity that St. Paul describes and embrace the wisdom that Jesus teaches. Let us not be swayed by the shifting tides of opinion but instead remain steadfast in our commitment to love and truth. In doing so, we will bear fruit that lasts and reflect the heart of God in all we do. Amen.