Daily Readings - Fri Sep 06 2024
1 Corinthians
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.
Luke
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.