Daily Catholic Mass Readings for September 19, 2018
First Reading: 1 Corinthians 12.31 – 13.13
31But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way.
1If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.8Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.9For we know in part and we prophesy in part,10but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.12Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.13And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Psalm 33
1Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him.2Praise the LORD with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.3Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.4For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.5The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.6By the word of the LORD were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth.7He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; he puts the deep into storehouses.8Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere him.9For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.10The LORD foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.11But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.12Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance.13From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all mankind;14from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth-15he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do.16No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength.17A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save.18But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,19to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.20We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.21In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.22May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you.
Gospel: Luke 7.31-35
31"To what, then, can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like?32They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to each other: "'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not cry.'33For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, 'He has a demon.'34The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and "sinners."'35But wisdom is proved right by all her children."
Sermon
Dear friends in Christ,
Today’s readings invite us to reflect on the essence of living a life rooted in love and wisdom. In the first reading from 1 Corinthians, St. Paul reminds us that without charity, all our gifts and actions are empty. He beautifully describes charity as patient, kind, and enduring, emphasizing that it is the greatest of all virtues. This passage is part of Paul’s larger discussion on spiritual gifts, urging the Corinthians to focus on the most important gift of all—love.
In the Gospel, Jesus uses a parable to illustrate the inconsistency of those who criticize both John the Baptist and himself. John was accused of being too austere, while Jesus was criticized for being too worldly. Jesus’ words highlight the fickle nature of those who refuse to see the truth. This passage is part of Luke’s narrative, where Jesus responds to the Pharisees’ accusations, emphasizing that true wisdom is justified by its fruits.
Both readings remind us that living a virtuous life is not about external appearances or fleeting opinions but about cultivating love and integrity. Paul’s emphasis on charity and Jesus’ parable about wisdom call us to focus on what truly matters: living with compassion, humility, and sincerity. In a world often driven by criticism and division, we are invited to anchor our lives in the enduring power of love and wisdom.
May we strive to embody the charity that St. Paul describes and embrace the wisdom that Jesus teaches. Let us not be swayed by the shifting tides of opinion but instead remain steadfast in our commitment to love and truth. In doing so, we will bear fruit that lasts and reflect the heart of God in all we do. Amen.