Daily Catholic Mass Readings for September 10, 2017
Psalm 95
1Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.2Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.3For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods.4In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him.5The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land.6Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker;7for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. Today, if you hear his voice,8do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah, as you did that day at Massah in the desert,9where your fathers tested and tried me, though they had seen what I did.10For forty years I was angry with that generation; I said, "They are a people whose hearts go astray, and they have not known my ways."11So I declared on oath in my anger, "They shall never enter my rest."
Second Reading: Romans 13.8-10
8Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.9The commandments, "Do not commit adultery,Do not murder,Do not steal,Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself."10Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
Gospel: Matthew 18.15-20
15"If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.16But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.'17If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.18"I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.19"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.20For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."
Sermon
In today's readings, we explore the essence of love and community, guided by the teachings of St. Paul and Jesus. The Second Reading from Romans reminds us that love is the fulfillment of the law, emphasizing that loving our neighbor as ourselves is paramount. This love, Paul notes, does no harm and embodies the spirit of the law. The Gospel from Matthew complements this by outlining a structured approach to conflict resolution within the community, stressing the importance of reconciliation and prayer.
The context of these readings is rooted in their respective audiences. Paul's letter to the Romans was addressed to a diverse community, urging them to live harmoniously through love. Matthew's Gospel, part of Jesus' teachings on community life, provides practical steps for handling conflicts, ensuring that love and forgiveness are central. Together, these passages highlight that love is not just a feeling but a actionable principle that guides both our personal interactions and communal life.
In our daily lives, these teachings call us to approach conflicts with love and a willingness to reconcile. Whether in personal relationships or within our communities, we are urged to seek resolution through love and understanding. The moral lesson here is clear: love is the foundation of our actions, shaping how we interact and resolve discord. By embracing this love, we not only fulfill the law but also create a harmonious and compassionate community, reflecting God's presence in our midst.