Daily Catholic Mass Readings for August 10, 2020
First Reading: 2 Corinthians 9.6-10
6Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.7Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.8And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.9As it is written: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever."10Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.
Psalm 112
1Praise the LORD. Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in his commands.2His children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.3Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever.4Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man.5Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice.6Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever.7He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.8His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes.9He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor, his righteousness endures forever; his horn will be lifted high in honor.10The wicked man will see and be vexed, he will gnash his teeth and waste away; the longings of the wicked will come to nothing.
Gospel: John 12.24-26
24I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.25The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.26Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.
Sermon
In today's readings, we are invited to reflect on the themes of generosity and self-giving love. The second reading from 2 Corinthians reminds us that our generosity is not just about what we give, but the spirit in which we give. Paul encourages us to give cheerfully, trusting that God will provide us with everything we need to live abundantly and to do good works. This passage is set in the context of the early Christian community, where believers were called to support one another, especially those in need. The act of giving is portrayed as an act of grace, where both the giver and the receiver are blessed.
The Gospel reading from John takes this idea of giving to a deeper level. Jesus uses the metaphor of the grain of wheat that must fall to the ground and die in order to bear fruit. This is a powerful image of self-sacrifice and the transformative power of love. Jesus is preparing his disciples for his own death and resurrection, teaching them that true life comes through surrender and service. The passage is set in the context of Jesus' journey toward Jerusalem, where he will ultimately lay down his life for the sake of the world. For us, this means that our lives are not our own, but are meant to be lived in service to others.
These readings are deeply connected. Both invite us to let go of our attachment to material possessions and even to our own lives, trusting that in doing so, we will find true life and fruitfulness. In our daily lives, this might mean being more generous with our resources, our time, and our talents. It might also mean embracing the sacrifices that come with loving and serving others. The moral lesson here is clear: true life is not found in hoarding or self-preservation, but in giving ourselves away in love. As we strive to live this out, we can take comfort in the promise that God will multiply our efforts and bring forth abundant fruit.