Daily Catholic Mass Readings for August 31, 2023
First Reading: 1 Thessalonians 3.7-13
7Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith:8For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.9For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;10Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?11Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.12And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:13To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.
Psalm 90
1Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations.2Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.3Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayest, Return, ye children of men.4For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.5Thou carriest them away as with a flood; they are as a sleep: in the morning they are like grass which groweth up.6In the morning it flourisheth, and groweth up; in the evening it is cut down, and withereth.7For we are consumed by thine anger, and by thy wrath are we troubled.8Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance.9For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told.10The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.11Who knoweth the power of thine anger? even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath.12So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.13Return, O LORD, how long? and let it repent thee concerning thy servants.14O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.15Make us glad according to the days wherein thou hast afflicted us, and the years wherein we have seen evil.16Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children.17And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.
Gospel: Matthew 24.42-51
42Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.43But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.44Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.45Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?46Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.47Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.48But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;49And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;50The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,51And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we hear St. Paul expressing his deep joy and gratitude for the faith of the Thessalonians, despite their trials and tribulations. He reminds them that their perseverance in faith brings him consolation and strengthens his own resolve to pray for them. Paul longs to see them again to complete what may be lacking in their faith, and he asks God to increase their love for one another and for all people. This passage highlights Paul’s profound care for his spiritual children and his desire for their holiness and steadfastness in the Lord.
The Gospel reading from Matthew presents Jesus teaching His disciples about the importance of being vigilant and prepared for His return. Using the parable of the servants, Jesus emphasizes the need for faithfulness and responsibility. The faithful servant who carries out his duties diligently is blessed, while the one who becomes complacent and neglects his responsibilities will face judgment. Jesus warns that He will return at an unexpected hour, and we must be ready, living in such a way that we are found doing His will when He comes.
These readings remind us that our faith is not a passive reality but an active way of life. Just as Paul prayed for the Thessalonians to grow in holiness, we too are called to strive for sanctity in our daily lives. The Gospel urges us to remain vigilant and faithful, recognizing that our time on this earth is short and that we will be held accountable for how we live. Let us ask the Lord to help us remain steadfast in our commitment to Him, to grow in love for one another, and to be prepared to meet Him whenever He comes. May we live each day with purpose and integrity, knowing that our actions have eternal consequences.