Daily Catholic Mass Readings for August 15, 2017
Psalm 45
1My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.2You are the most excellent of men and your lips have been anointed with grace, since God has blessed you forever.3Gird your sword upon your side, O mighty one; clothe yourself with splendor and majesty.4In your majesty ride forth victoriously in behalf of truth, humility and righteousness; let your right hand display awesome deeds.5Let your sharp arrows pierce the hearts of the king's enemies; let the nations fall beneath your feet.6Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.7You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.8All your robes are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia; from palaces adorned with ivory the music of the strings makes you glad.9Daughters of kings are among your honored women; at your right hand is the royal bride in gold of Ophir.10Listen, O daughter, consider and give ear: Forget your people and your father's house.11The king is enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord.12The Daughter of Tyre will come with a gift, men of wealth will seek your favor.13All glorious is the princess within her chamber; her gown is interwoven with gold.14In embroidered garments she is led to the king; her virgin companions follow her and are brought to you.15They are led in with joy and gladness; they enter the palace of the king.16Your sons will take the place of your fathers; you will make them princes throughout the land.17I will perpetuate your memory through all generations; therefore the nations will praise you for ever and ever.
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 15.20-26
20But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.21For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man.22For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.23But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.24Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power.25For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.26The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
Gospel: Luke 1.39-56
39At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea,40where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth.41When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.42In a loud voice she exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!43But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?44As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.45Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!"46And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,48for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed,49for the Mighty One has done great things for me--holy is his name.50His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.51He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.52He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.53He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.54He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful55to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers."56Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful expressions of faith and transformation. The second reading from 1 Corinthians reminds us of the triumph of Christ’s resurrection, which is not just a historical event but a promise of eternal life for all believers. Paul emphasizes that just as death came through Adam, so too has the resurrection come through Christ. This passage invites us to reflect on the ultimate victory of God over sin and death, and the hope it brings to our lives. The Gospel, taken from Luke, presents the beautiful scene of the Visitation, where Mary, carrying Jesus in her womb, visits her cousin Elizabeth, who is carrying John the Baptist. Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, recognizes the divine presence in Mary and praises her for her faith. Mary, in turn, responds with the Magnificat, a hymn of praise that celebrates God’s mercy, justice, and faithfulness.
The readings are deeply connected in their themes of faith, hope, and the transformative power of God’s grace. In Corinthians, Paul links the resurrection of Christ to the ultimate defeat of all enemies, including death. This hope is not just for the future but is already at work in us, empowering us to live as children of God. In the Gospel, Mary’s faith and trust in God’s plan are exemplified. Her visit to Elizabeth and her joyful praise in the Magnificat show how surrendering to God’s will leads to spiritual transformation and the fulfillment of His promises. Both readings remind us that our faith is not passive but active, calling us to trust in God’s plan and to live with hope and joy, even in the face of challenges.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves how we can apply this faith and hope to our daily lives. Like Mary, we are called to trust in God’s plan, even when it seems uncertain or difficult. Like Paul, we are reminded to live with the confidence that Christ’s resurrection has already begun to transform us and the world around us. Let us strive to magnify God in our hearts and actions, recognizing His mercy and justice in our lives. May we, like Mary and Elizabeth, be bearers of joy and hope to those around us, trusting that God’s promises are being fulfilled in us and through us.