Daily Catholic Mass Readings for September 1, 2020
First Reading: 1 Corinthians 2.10b-16
10but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.11The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.12We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.13This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.14The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.15The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man's judgment:16"For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ.
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: Luke 4.31-37
31Then he went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath began to teach the people.32They were amazed at his teaching, because his message had authority.33In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon, an evil spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice,34"Ha! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are--the Holy One of God!"35"Be quiet!" Jesus said sternly. "Come out of him!" Then the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without injuring him.36All the people were amazed and said to each other, "What is this teaching? With authority and power he gives orders to evil spirits and they come out!"37And the news about him spread throughout the surrounding area.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the profound relationship between the Holy Spirit, divine wisdom, and the authority of Christ. In the first reading from 1 Corinthians, St. Paul emphasizes that the truths of God are not accessible through human wisdom alone but are revealed by the Holy Spirit. He contrasts the "animal nature of man," which cannot grasp spiritual realities, with the "spiritual nature" that, through the Spirit, can discern all things. This passage reminds us that our understanding of God’s ways is a gift, one that requires openness to the Holy Spirit.
In the Gospel, Luke presents Jesus teaching in Capernaum with authority, demonstrating His power over evil spirits. When the unclean demon is cast out, the people are struck by the authority of His word. This passage highlights the connection between the Spirit of God and the authority of Christ. Just as the Spirit reveals divine truths to us, Christ’s authority flows from His union with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Together, these readings remind us that true wisdom and power come not from human effort but from the Spirit of God.
In our daily lives, these readings call us to humility and openness. Like the Corinthians, we must recognize that our understanding of God’s will is not our own doing but a grace given by the Spirit. Like the people in Capernaum, we must be in awe of the power of Christ and seek to align our lives with His authority. Let us ask the Holy Spirit to deepen our discernment, to help us see the world through the eyes of faith, and to live with the confidence that comes from knowing we are sons and daughters of God.