Daily Catholic Mass Readings for September 28, 2020
First Reading: Job 1.6-22
6Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.7And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.8And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?9Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?10Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.11But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.12And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.13And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house:14And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them:15And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.16While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.17While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.18While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house:19And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.20Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,21And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.22In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.
Psalm 17
1Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.2Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal.3Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.4Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.5Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.6I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech.7Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them.8Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,9From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about.10They are inclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly.11They have now compassed us in our steps: they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth;12Like as a lion that is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.13Arise, O LORD, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy sword:14From men which are thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes.15As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.
Gospel: Luke 9.46-50
46Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest.47And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him,48And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.49And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us.50And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful lessons about humility and faith. The first reading from the Book of Job presents us with a man who faces unimaginable suffering—losing his children, his possessions, and his health. Yet, in the midst of such tragedy, Job does not curse God but instead humbly acknowledges God’s sovereignty, saying, “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” This passage reminds us that true faith is not about understanding or controlling life’s difficulties but about trusting in God’s providence, even when the road is dark and uncertain.
The Gospel reading from Luke offers a complementary teaching on humility. Jesus, perceiving the disciples’ argument about who is the greatest, uses a child as a symbol of true greatness. He teaches that to welcome a child in his name is to welcome him, and by extension, the Father who sent him. This lesson challenges us to let go of our pride and ambition, embracing instead a spirit of service and openness. Jesus further emphasizes this by telling the disciples not to prohibit someone from working in his name simply because they are not part of their group. This is a call to inclusivity and to recognize that God’s work is not limited to our narrow circles.
Both readings invite us to reflect on our own lives. Like Job, we may face trials that test our faith, but we are called to respond with humility and trust. Like the disciples, we may struggle with pride or exclusivity, but Jesus shows us that true greatness lies in humility and openness. Let us ask ourselves: Do we trust God even when we do not understand? Do we welcome others, even those who may seem different or outside our comfort zone? May we learn to embrace the humility and faith that lead us closer to God and to one another.