Daily Readings - Thu Sep 06 2018
1 Corinthians
18Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a "fool" so that he may become wise.19For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight. As it is written: "He catches the wise in their craftiness";20and again, "The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile."21So then, no more boasting about men! All things are yours,22whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future--all are yours,23and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God.
Luke
1One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, with the people crowding around him and listening to the word of God,2he saw at the water's edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets.3He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.4When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch."5Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets."6When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.7So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.8When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!"9For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken,10and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon's partners.11Then Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men." So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound lessons on wisdom and faith. The first reading from 1 Corinthians 3:18-23 cautions against the allure of worldly wisdom, which is fleeting and often deceptive. Paul reminds us that true wisdom lies in recognizing that all things belong to those who belong to Christ, urging us to look beyond human achievements and earthly divisions. This passage is set against the backdrop of the Corinthian church, where divisions arose as members aligned themselves with different leaders. Paul's message is a call to unity and humility, emphasizing that our true allegiance is to Christ.
The Gospel from Luke 5:1-11 presents a pivotal moment in the ministry of Jesus. By the Lake of Gennesaret, Jesus performs a miraculous catch of fish, leading Simon Peter to a profound realization of his own sinfulness and Jesus' divine authority. This miracle serves as a call to discipleship, symbolizing the transition from a life of ordinary labor to one dedicated to spiritual pursuits. The context is the early Galilean ministry of Jesus, where He begins to gather His disciples, demonstrating His power and authority to those who would follow Him.
These readings intertwine beautifully, as the Corinthians' warning against worldly wisdom finds its antidote in the Gospel's call to trust in God's plan. Simon Peter's humility and willingness to obey Jesus, despite the seeming foolishness of the task, exemplify the true wisdom spoken of by Paul. This teaches us to approach life with humility, trusting in God's wisdom even when it challenges our understanding.
In our daily lives, we are often faced with choices that require us to step out in faith, just as Simon Peter did. The readings encourage us to embrace humility and trust in God's providence, even when the path seems uncertain. The moral lesson here is clear: true wisdom is found in surrendering to God's will, recognizing that all we have and are is a gift from Him. Let us, like Simon Peter, respond with humility and obedience, allowing God to guide us into deeper waters, where He promises an abundance beyond our wildest imagination.