Daily Catholic Mass Readings for August 15, 2021
First Reading: Revelation 11.19a; 12.1-6a, 10ab
19And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.
1And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:2And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.3And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.4And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.5And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.6And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.10And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
Psalm 45
1My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.2Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.3Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty.4And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.5Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king's enemies; whereby the people fall under thee.6Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.7Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.8All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.9Kings' daughters were among thy honourable women: upon thy right hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir.10Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father's house;11So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord; and worship thou him.12And the daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift; even the rich among the people shall intreat thy favour.13The king's daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold.14She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: the virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee.15With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought: they shall enter into the king's palace.16Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children, whom thou mayest make princes in all the earth.17I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever.
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 15.20-26
20But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.21For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.22For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.23But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.24Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.25For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.26The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
Gospel: Luke 1.39-56
39And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;40And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.41And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:42And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.43And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?44For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.45And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.46And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,47And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.48For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.49For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.50And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.51He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.52He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.53He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.54He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;55As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.56And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.
Sermon
The readings today present a powerful narrative of hope, struggle, and ultimate triumph, weaving together themes of cosmic battle, resurrection, and the humble acceptance of God’s will. In the first reading from Revelation, we encounter a dramatic vision: a woman clothed with the sun, persecuted by a great dragon, yet ultimately protected by God. This woman symbolizes both Mary and the Church, enduring suffering but destined for victory. The passage reminds us that the struggle between good and evil is universal, but God’s power and mercy ensure that evil will not prevail.
In the second reading from 1 Corinthians, St. Paul connects the resurrection of Christ to the ultimate defeat of death and sin. Just as Adam brought death into the world, Christ, the new Adam, brings life and resurrection. This passage invites us to reflect on the hope that lies at the heart of our faith: Christ’s victory over death is not just a past event but an ongoing reality that transforms our lives. His reign continues until all things are subjected to God, and we are called to live in the confidence of this triumph.
The Gospel from Luke brings us to a moment of profound humility and joy. Mary’s visit to Elizabeth, and her beautiful Magnificat, reveal a young woman who, despite the extraordinary circumstances of her life, surrenders completely to God’s plan. Her song of praise is not just a celebration of God’s greatness but also a recognition of his mercy and justice, which lift up the lowly and fulfill his promises to Israel. Mary’s example teaches us to trust in God’s plan, even when the path is uncertain, and to cultivate a spirit of humility and gratitude.
These readings remind us that our faith is rooted in the assurance of God’s victory over sin and death. Like Mary, we are called to embrace God’s will with trust and humility, even in the face of challenges. As we navigate our own struggles, we can draw strength from the knowledge that Christ’s resurrection has already begun to transform the world. Let us live each day with the hope of eternal life, and may our hearts, like Mary’s, magnify the Lord in all we do.