Daily Catholic Mass Readings for March 3, 2019
First Reading: Sirach 27.4-7
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Psalm 92
1It is good to praise the LORD and make music to your name, O Most High,2to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night,3to the music of the ten-stringed lyre and the melody of the harp.4For you make me glad by your deeds, O LORD; I sing for joy at the works of your hands.5How great are your works, O LORD, how profound your thoughts!6The senseless man does not know, fools do not understand,7that though the wicked spring up like grass and all evildoers flourish, they will be forever destroyed.8But you, O LORD, are exalted forever.9For surely your enemies, O LORD, surely your enemies will perish; all evildoers will be scattered.10You have exalted my horn like that of a wild ox; fine oils have been poured upon me.11My eyes have seen the defeat of my adversaries; my ears have heard the rout of my wicked foes.12The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;13planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God.14They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green,15proclaiming, "The LORD is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him."
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 15.54-58
54When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory."55"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?"56The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.57But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.58Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
Gospel: Luke 6.39-45
39He also told them this parable: "Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit?40A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.41"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?42How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,' when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.43"No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit.44Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers.45The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are invited to reflect on the essence of faith, self-examination, and the authenticity of our actions. The first reading from Sirach reminds us that true faith must be steadfast, even in the face of trials. It uses vivid metaphors—a sieve and a furnace—to illustrate how our commitment to God is tested, revealing the genuineness of our hearts. This passage encourages us to embrace challenges as opportunities to deepen our faith, much like refining fire purifies metal.
The second reading from 1 Corinthians shifts our focus to the ultimate triumph of faith over death. Paul emphasizes that through Christ, death loses its power, and sin is stripped of its authority. This reading offers a message of hope, reminding us that our struggles are not in vain, as we are assured of victory through Jesus. It calls us to stand firm in our faith, knowing that our efforts to live a virtuous life are not futile but are instead fruitful in God’s eyes.
The Gospel from Luke challenges us to introspection and humility. Jesus’ parables remind us that we cannot lead others if we ourselves are not guided by wisdom. The striking image of seeing a straw in another’s eye while ignoring the log in our own highlights the hypocrisy of judging others without first examining ourselves. Jesus teaches that our words and actions are reflections of the state of our hearts, urging us to cultivate goodness within so that our outward expressions may be sincere and life-giving.
As we apply these teachings to our daily lives, we are reminded to approach each challenge with faith, trusting in God’s plan. We must be honest with ourselves, acknowledging our own shortcomings before addressing those of others. Let us nurture our hearts with love and compassion, ensuring that our actions and words bear witness to the good news of Christ. In doing so, we embody the hope and integrity that these readings call us to, living as fruitful branches of the vine that is Christ.