Daily Catholic Mass Readings for September 15, 2023
First Reading: Hebrews 5.7-9
7Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;8Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;9And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
Psalm 31
1In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness.2Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me.3For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me.4Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength.5Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.6I have hated them that regard lying vanities: but I trust in the LORD.7I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities;8And hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: thou hast set my feet in a large room.9Have mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly.10For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed.11I was a reproach among all mine enemies, but especially among my neighbours, and a fear to mine acquaintance: they that did see me without fled from me.12I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel.13For I have heard the slander of many: fear was on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life.14But I trusted in thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my God.15My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.16Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me for thy mercies' sake.17Let me not be ashamed, O LORD; for I have called upon thee: let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave.18Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.19Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!20Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.21Blessed be the LORD: for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness in a strong city.22For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee.23O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.24Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.
Gospel: Luke 2.33-35 or John 19.25-27
33And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.34And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;35Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
25Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.26When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!27Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect deeply on the mystery of Christ's mission and its implications for our own lives. In the first reading from Hebrews, we hear of Jesus, who, though the Son of God, learned obedience through suffering. This passage emphasizes that Christ's journey was not one of ease but of profound struggle and prayer. It reminds us that even in our own struggles, we can turn to God with cries and tears, trusting that He hears us. Jesus' obedience, far from being a sign of weakness, became the source of salvation for all who follow Him.
In the Gospel, Luke presents Simeon's prophecy, which reveals the duality of Christ's mission: He is both a cause of ruin and resurrection, a sign of contradiction. These words speak to the transformative power of Christ, who challenges us to confront our own hearts. Simeon's words to Mary, that a sword would pierce her soul, remind us that following Christ comes with a cost. It is through this suffering and contradiction that the thoughts of many hearts are revealed, calling us to examine our own hearts and align them with God's will.
These readings call us to embrace obedience and trust in God's plan, even when it leads us through trials. Like Mary, we are invited to stand faithfully, allowing the sword of God's truth to pierce our hearts, revealing our true intentions and desires. In a world often resistant to the Gospel, we are reminded that our faith will sometimes lead to contradiction and challenge. Yet, it is precisely through these struggles that we grow in holiness and become instruments of salvation for others. Let us, therefore, embrace the cross with courage, knowing that in doing so, we participate in Christ's mission of redemption.