Daily Catholic Mass Readings for August 11, 2019
First Reading: Wisdom 18.6-9
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Psalm 33
1Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.2Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.3Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.4For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth.5He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.6By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.7He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses.8Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.9For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.10The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.11The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.12Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.13The LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men.14From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth.15He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.16There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.17An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.18Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;19To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.20Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield.21For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.22Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.
Second Reading: Hebrews 11.1-2, 8-12
1Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.2For by it the elders obtained a good report.8By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.9By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:10For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.11Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.12Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.
Gospel: Luke 12.35-40
35Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;36And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.37Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.38And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.39And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through.40Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of trust, faith, and readiness. In the first reading from Wisdom, we hear of a night known to our fathers, a time of trust in God's justice and plan. The just children, through their sacrifices and adherence to justice, demonstrate their faith in God's design. This passage reminds us that God's justice will prevail, and both the righteous and the unrighteous will receive their due. It calls us to trust in God's plan, even when the future seems uncertain.
The second reading from Hebrews delves into the essence of faith, defining it as the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of the unseen. Through the examples of Abraham and Sarah, we see unwavering trust in God's promises, even in the face of impossibility. Their story teaches us that true faith is about trusting God's plan, even when we cannot see the outcome. This faith is not passive but active, leading us to live in accordance with God's will.
The Gospel from Luke brings these themes together, urging us to be prepared and vigilant. Jesus uses the parable of the servants waiting for their lord to emphasize the importance of readiness. He reminds us that the Son of Man will return unexpectedly, and we must be prepared to meet Him. This passage is a call to live each day with our hearts and minds focused on God, ensuring that our actions and decisions reflect our commitment to Him.
In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to trust in God's justice and providence. Just as the just children and the patriarchs trusted in God's plan, we too must place our faith in Him. We are called to live with vigilance, always mindful of our ultimate goal of union with God. This means living each day with purpose, prayer, and service, ensuring that our actions reflect our faith.
As we reflect on these readings, let us embrace the call to trust and readiness. May our faith be strengthened, and may we live each day with the conviction that God's plan is at work in our lives. Let us remain vigilant, prepared to meet the Lord whenever He comes, and may our lives be a testament to our trust in His divine providence.