Daily Catholic Mass Readings for September 9, 2024
First Reading: 1 Corinthians 5.1-8
1It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.2And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.3For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,4In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,5To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.6Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?7Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:8Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
Psalm 5
1Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation.2Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray.3My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.4For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.5The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity.6Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the LORD will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.7But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.8Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face.9For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue.10Destroy thou them, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions; for they have rebelled against thee.11But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.12For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.
Gospel: Luke 6.6-11
6And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered.7And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him.8But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth.9Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?10And looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other.11And they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful lessons about living as followers of Christ. The first reading from 1 Corinthians addresses a moral issue within the church, where a man is living with his father's wife. Paul expresses concern that the community has not taken action, emphasizing the need to expel the man to protect the spiritual well-being of the community. He uses the metaphor of leaven to illustrate how sin can spread, urging the Corinthians to purge sin and live with sincerity, just as Christ, our Passover, has been sacrificed.
The Gospel from Luke presents a different yet related scenario. Jesus heals a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath, challenging the Pharisees' strict legalism. While they focus on the law, Jesus prioritizes compassion, asking if it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath. This healing angers the Pharisees, highlighting the tension between legalistic observance and merciful action.
These readings remind us of the balance we must strike in our lives. We are called to maintain moral integrity and accountability within our communities, recognizing that sin can have far-reaching effects. Simultaneously, we must embody compassion and mercy, reflecting Jesus' example of prioritizing human well-being over rigid rules. In our daily lives, this means fostering communities that uphold standards of holiness while also being places of healing and love.
As we reflect on these teachings, let us consider how we can apply them in our own lives. May we strive to be communities that support each other in living virtuously, while also reaching out with compassion to those in need. True holiness is not just about discipline but also about living with integrity and kindness, inspired by Christ's example. Let us pray for the grace to balance discipline with mercy, that we may truly reflect God's love in all we do.