Daily Catholic Mass Readings for September 11, 2017
First Reading: Colossians 1.24 2.3
24Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.
Psalm 62
1My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him.2He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.3How long will you assault a man? Would all of you throw him down- this leaning wall, this tottering fence?4They fully intend to topple him from his lofty place; they take delight in lies. With their mouths they bless, but in their hearts they curse. Selah5Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.6He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.7My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.8Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Selah9Lowborn men are but a breath, the highborn are but a lie; if weighed on a balance, they are nothing; together they are only a breath.10Do not trust in extortion or take pride in stolen goods; though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them.11One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that you, O God, are strong,12and that you, O Lord, are loving. Surely you will reward each person according to what he has done.
Gospel: Luke 6.6-11
6On another Sabbath he went into the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was shriveled.7The Pharisees and the teachers of the law were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal on the Sabbath.8But Jesus knew what they were thinking and said to the man with the shriveled hand, "Get up and stand in front of everyone." So he got up and stood there.9Then Jesus said to them, "I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?"10He looked around at them all, and then said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He did so, and his hand was completely restored.11But they were furious and began to discuss with one another what they might do to Jesus.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound lessons on compassion and service. The first reading from Colossians reveals Paul's joy in suffering for the Church, emphasizing that all wisdom and knowledge are found in Christ. This highlights the idea that true wisdom is rooted in selfless service and love. The Gospel from Luke presents Jesus healing a man on the Sabbath, challenging the Pharisees' strict adherence to rules over human need, illustrating that compassion should always take precedence.
These readings connect through their emphasis on prioritizing love and service. Paul's suffering for the Church mirrors Jesus' compassionate act, showing that true faith is active and selfless. Both scenarios remind us that our actions should be guided by love, not just rule-following. This challenges us to reflect on how we balance rules with compassion in our daily lives.
The moral lesson here is clear: our faith must be lived through acts of love and service. Just as Jesus healed on the Sabbath and Paul embraced suffering for others, we are called to prioritize the well-being of others, even when it's inconvenient. Let us strive to embody this compassion, allowing our actions to be guided by love and a willingness to serve, just as Christ did.