Daily Readings - Sat Sep 05 2020
1 Corinthians
6And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.7For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?8Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you.9For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.10We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised.11Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace;12And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:13Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.14I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.15For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.
Luke
1And it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that he went through the corn fields; and his disciples plucked the ears of corn, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands.2And certain of the Pharisees said unto them, Why do ye that which is not lawful to do on the sabbath days?3And Jesus answering them said, Have ye not read so much as this, what David did, when himself was an hungred, and they which were with him;4How he went into the house of God, and did take and eat the shewbread, and gave also to them that were with him; which it is not lawful to eat but for the priests alone?5And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.
Sermon
In today's readings, we hear St. Paul and Jesus offering profound insights into humility and service. Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, reminds us that all we have is a gift from God, urging us to avoid pride and instead embrace humility. He shares his own experiences of hardship and persecution to illustrate that true strength lies in serving others, not in earthly comforts. This message is echoed in the Gospel where Jesus defends His disciples for picking grain on the Sabbath, using the example of David to highlight that human needs and compassion should sometimes take precedence over strict rules.
The context of these readings reveals the challenges faced by the early Christian communities. The Corinthian church was divided by pride and rivalry, prompting Paul to call for unity and humility. Similarly, Jesus faced criticism from the Pharisees who prioritized legalistic observance over people's needs. Both readings emphasize the importance of balancing rules with love and service, reminding us that our faith should be lived out in compassionate action.
Applying these teachings to our daily lives, we are called to remain humble, acknowledging God as the source of all blessings. We should approach each day with a heart of service, prioritizing the well-being of others and being compassionate. Just as Jesus showed that the Sabbath was made for humanity, not the other way around, we too should use our freedoms to uplift and care for one another. Let us reflect on how we can embody humility and compassion, allowing our faith to be a source of love and service in the world.