Daily Catholic Mass Readings for September 1, 2021
Psalm 52
1Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually.2Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.3Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah.4Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue.5God shall likewise destroy thee for ever, he shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of thy dwelling place, and root thee out of the land of the living. Selah.6The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him:7Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness.8But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.9I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name; for it is good before thy saints.
Gospel: Luke 4.38-44
38And he arose out of the synagogue, and entered into Simon's house. And Simon's wife's mother was taken with a great fever; and they besought him for her.39And he stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her: and immediately she arose and ministered unto them.40Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them.41And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ.42And when it was day, he departed and went into a desert place: and the people sought him, and came unto him, and stayed him, that he should not depart from them.43And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent.44And he preached in the synagogues of Galilee.
Sermon
In today’s Gospel, we witness Jesus’ compassionate power as He heals Peter’s mother-in-law and many others, followed by His dedication to spreading the Good News. After healing her, she immediately serves them, illustrating how faith leads to action. As evening falls, Jesus heals various ailments and casts out demons, affirming His divine authority. Despite the crowds’ eagerness to keep Him, Jesus insists on preaching in other cities, driven by His mission to fulfill God’s plan.
This passage follows Jesus’ proclamation in the synagogue, where He identified Himself as the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy. His actions here validate His words, showcasing His authority and compassion. The healings and exorcisms demonstrate the Kingdom of God’s power over human suffering, while His departure underscores the broader mission beyond physical healing, emphasizing the need to spread the Gospel.
In our lives, we can apply this by trusting in God’s providence, especially in times of struggle. Just as Jesus healed and preached, we are called to both serve and share our faith. The balance between action and proclamation reminds us to care for others and to be ambassadors of Christ. Let us embrace this dual call, trusting in God’s plan and actively participating in His mission, just as Jesus did.