Daily Catholic Mass Readings for August 27, 2020
First Reading: 1 Corinthians 1.1-9
1Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes,2To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ--their Lord and ours:3Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.4I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.5For in him you have been enriched in every way--in all your speaking and in all your knowledge--6because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you.7Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.8He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.9God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.
Psalm 145
1I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever.2Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever.3Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.4One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts.5They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works.6They will tell of the power of your awesome works, and I will proclaim your great deeds.7They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.8The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.9The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.10All you have made will praise you, O LORD; your saints will extol you.11They will tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might,12so that all men may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.13Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made.14The LORD upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.15The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time.16You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.17The LORD is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made.18The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.19He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.20The LORD watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.21My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD. Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever.
Gospel: Matthew 24.42-51
42"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.43But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into.44So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.45"Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time?46It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.47I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.48But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, 'My master is staying away a long time,'49and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards.50The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of.51He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Sermon
In today's readings, we hear Paul's heartfelt greeting to the Corinthian church, where he expresses gratitude for their spiritual enrichment and confidence in their faith. He reminds them of the grace they've received and encourages them to remain steadfast as they await Christ's return. In the Gospel, Jesus uses the parable of the faithful and unfaithful servants to emphasize the importance of vigilance and preparedness for His second coming. He warns against complacency and urges His followers to be responsible stewards of their talents and resources.
Both readings highlight the themes of faithfulness and readiness. Paul's letter to the Corinthians underscores the gifts and graces they've received, while Jesus' parable in Matthew serves as a reminder to use these gifts wisely and remain spiritually alert. The connection between the two lies in the call to live with purpose and responsibility, recognizing that our actions have eternal consequences.
As we reflect on these readings, we are invited to examine our own lives. Are we using the talents, time, and resources God has given us in a way that honors Him? Do we remain vigilant, keeping our hearts and minds focused on eternal truths? The moral lesson here is clear: faithfulness and stewardship are essential. We must live each day with intention, knowing that our commitment to God will be reflected in how we manage His gifts. Let us strive to be faithful servants, prepared to meet the Lord whenever He comes, living in a way that aligns with His will and values.