Daily Readings - Wed Sep 18 2024
1 Corinthians
31But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.
1Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.2And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.3And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.4Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,5Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;6Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;7Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.8Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.9For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.10But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.11When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.12For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.13And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
Luke
31And the Lord said, Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like?32They are like unto children sitting in the marketplace, and calling one to another, and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept.33For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a devil.34The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!35But wisdom is justified of all her children.
Sermon
In today's readings, we are reminded of the essence of living a virtuous life. The first reading from 1 Corinthians emphasizes the primacy of love, or charity, as the greatest virtue. Paul illustrates that without love, even the most impressive spiritual gifts are hollow. Love is patient, kind, and enduring, and it is this love that truly matters. In the Gospel, Luke presents Jesus comparing the current generation to discontented children, highlighting the futility of trying to please everyone. Jesus points out that true wisdom is recognized by those who embrace it, not by those who criticize without understanding.
Both readings offer insights into the human condition. The Corinthians were divided, focusing on spiritual gifts without the love that should motivate them. Jesus, in Luke, faces criticism from those who cannot see the wisdom in his actions. Together, these passages teach us that a life of virtue requires both internal love and external wisdom. They encourage us to look beyond superficial criticisms and focus on living with integrity and compassion.
In our daily lives, we often face similar challenges—criticism, expectations, and the pressure to conform. The readings remind us to focus on love and wisdom rather than seeking approval. True fulfillment comes from living with love and integrity, not from external validation. Let us strive to embody the virtues of patience, kindness, and enduring love, recognizing that wisdom is justified by those who live it.