Daily Catholic Mass Readings for September 6, 2024
First Reading: 1 Corinthians 4.1-5
1Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.2Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.3But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.4For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.5Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
Psalm 37
1Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.2For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.3Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.4Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.5Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.6And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.7Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.8Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.9For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.10For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.11But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.12The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.13The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.14The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation.15Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.16A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.17For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous.18The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever.19They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.20But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the LORD shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away.21The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.22For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off.23The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.24Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.25I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.26He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.27Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.28For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.29The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.30The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.31The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.32The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him.33The LORD will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.34Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.35I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.36Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.37Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.38But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.39But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble.40And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.
Gospel: Luke 5.33-39
33And they said unto him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink?34And he said unto them, Can ye make the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them?35But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.36And he spake also a parable unto them; No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the piece that was taken out of the new agreeth not with the old.37And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish.38But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved.39No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on faithfulness, judgment, and the newness of God’s work in our lives. In the first reading from 1 Corinthians, St. Paul reminds us that we are ministers of Christ and stewards of God’s mysteries. He emphasizes that our ultimate judgment comes not from others or even ourselves, but from the Lord. This calls us to humility and trust in God’s plan, recognizing that true evaluation of our lives will only be revealed when the Lord returns. Paul’s words remind us to focus on faithfulness rather than seeking human approval, as our true worth is measured by God alone.
In the Gospel, Jesus responds to the Pharisees’ criticism of His disciples’ lack of fasting by using vivid parables. He compares Himself to a groom whose presence brings joy, and He explains that new wine cannot be poured into old wineskins. Jesus is emphasizing that His teachings and way of life are fresh and transformative. The old ways of thinking and practicing religion cannot contain the new life He offers. This challenges us to embrace change and openness to the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives, rather than clinging to comfortable but outdated habits.
Together, these readings encourage us to live with humility, trust, and openness. Like St. Paul, we are called to be faithful servants, trusting that God’s judgment is beyond human understanding. Like Jesus’ disciples, we are invited to embrace the newness of God’s kingdom, even when it disrupts our familiar ways. In our daily lives, this means being willing to let go of what is comfortable but limiting, and instead, to trust in God’s plan. Let us ask for the grace to be open to the Spirit’s renewal and to live with joyful trust in the Lord’s presence in our lives.