Daily Catholic Mass Readings for September 17, 2021
First Reading: 1 Timothy 6.2c-12
2Those who have believing masters are not to show less respect for them because they are brothers. Instead, they are to serve them even better, because those who benefit from their service are believers, and dear to them. These are the things you are to teach and urge on them.3If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching,4he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions5and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.6But godliness with contentment is great gain.7For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.8But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.9People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.10For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.11But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.12Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
Psalm 49
1Hear this, all you peoples; listen, all who live in this world,2both low and high, rich and poor alike:3My mouth will speak words of wisdom; the utterance from my heart will give understanding.4I will turn my ear to a proverb; with the harp I will expound my riddle:5Why should I fear when evil days come, when wicked deceivers surround me-6those who trust in their wealth and boast of their great riches?7No man can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for him-8the ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough-9that he should live on forever and not see decay.10For all can see that wise men die; the foolish and the senseless alike perish and leave their wealth to others.11Their tombs will remain their houses forever, their dwellings for endless generations, though they had named lands after themselves.12But man, despite his riches, does not endure; he is like the beasts that perish.13This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve their sayings. Selah14Like sheep they are destined for the grave, and death will feed on them. The upright will rule over them in the morning; their forms will decay in the grave, far from their princely mansions.15But God will redeem my life from the grave; he will surely take me to himself. Selah16Do not be overawed when a man grows rich, when the splendor of his house increases;17for he will take nothing with him when he dies, his splendor will not descend with him.18Though while he lived he counted himself blessed- and men praise you when you prosper-19he will join the generation of his fathers, who will never see the light of life.20A man who has riches without understanding is like the beasts that perish.
Gospel: Luke 8.1-3
1After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him,2and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out;3Joanna the wife of Cuza, the manager of Herod's household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the relationship between faith, service, and the dangers of materialism. In the first reading from 1 Timothy, St. Paul emphasizes the importance of living a life of piety and contentment. He warns against the corrupting influence of wealth and the empty disputes that arise from a life focused on profit rather than truth. He calls us to pursue virtues like justice, faith, and charity, reminding us that true wealth lies in living a life grounded in God. The Gospel from Luke presents Jesus traveling and preaching with his disciples, accompanied by women who supported him financially and practically. This passage highlights the importance of community and the diverse roles we play in supporting one another in the mission of the kingdom.
The readings are connected by the theme of dependence on God and on one another. In 1 Timothy, Paul warns against the arrogance of self-sufficiency and the dangers of letting wealth distract us from what truly matters. In the Gospel, the women who support Jesus demonstrate that living a life of faith requires collaboration and mutual support. Both readings remind us that our ultimate security and fulfillment come not from material possessions but from our relationship with God and our commitment to living out His will.
In our daily lives, these readings challenge us to examine our priorities. Are we content with what we have, or do we constantly seek more? Do we recognize the value of serving others and being part of a community that supports one another? Let us strive to live simply, trusting in God’s providence and finding joy in using our resources to serve others. As St. Paul encourages, let us “fight the good fight of faith” and pursue a life of virtue and love. In doing so, we will find true wealth in the depths of God’s love and in the relationships we build along the way.