Daily Catholic Mass Readings for September 16, 2020
First Reading: 1 Corinthians 12.31 – 13.13
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.
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.
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
In today’s readings, we are invited to reflect on the essence of love and wisdom in our Christian journey. The first reading from 1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13, often referred to as the “Hymn to Love,” reminds us that without love, even the most remarkable gifts and actions are meaningless. Paul emphasizes that love is patient, kind, and enduring, and it is the greatest virtue among faith, hope, and charity. The Gospel from Luke 7:31-35 presents Jesus comparing the current generation to children who are never satisfied, highlighting their inconsistency in criticizing both John the Baptist and Himself for their different approaches to ministry. Jesus concludes that true wisdom is justified by those who embrace God’s message with openness and love.
The context of these readings is crucial. In Corinthians, Paul addresses a community divided by rivalries and a focus on spiritual gifts, urging them to prioritize love as the foundation of their faith. In the Gospel, Jesus responds to Pharisees who judge Him and John the Baptist, illustrating their inability to see the truth beyond their preconceptions. Both readings underscore that true wisdom and understanding come from a place of love and openness to God’s message.
These readings relate by emphasizing that our actions and judgments must be rooted in love and discernment. Paul teaches that even the most selfless deeds without love are hollow, while Jesus shows that true wisdom is not about outward criticism but about receiving God’s message with an open heart. In our daily lives, this means that our efforts, no matter how noble, must be guided by love. We must cultivate love and discernment to truly follow God’s path. The moral lesson here is clear: love and wisdom are the heart of Christian living, and without them, our efforts are empty. Let us strive to embody love and discernment in all we do, embracing God’s message with open hearts.