Daily Catholic Mass Readings for August 10, 2022
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, self-sacrifice, and trust in God’s providence. The first reading from 2 Corinthians reminds us that our giving should be cheerful and generous, for God blesses those who give with an open heart. St. Paul emphasizes that when we sow abundantly, we reap abundantly, and God’s grace will provide us with everything we need to do good works. This passage is set in the context of the early Church, where believers were called to support one another and live out their faith through acts of kindness and generosity.
The Gospel takes us to a deeper level of sacrifice. Jesus uses the metaphor of the grain of wheat that must fall to the ground and die to bear fruit. He teaches that true life comes through self-giving love and that clinging to our own desires and comforts leads to loss. This passage is part of Jesus’ farewell discourse, where He prepares His disciples for His departure and calls them to follow Him in self-sacrificial love. Together, the readings remind us that living a life of faith requires both generosity and willingness to let go of our own will for the sake of others.
How do these readings apply to our daily lives? We are called to trust that when we give—whether time, resources, or love—God will multiply it in ways we cannot see. We are also reminded that true fulfillment comes not from holding onto our lives but from surrendering them to God’s plan. Let us ask ourselves: Am I giving freely and joyfully, or do I hold back out of fear or selfishness? Am I willing to let go of my own desires to serve others and follow Christ? May we embrace the paradox of Christian life: that in giving, we receive, and in dying to self, we find true life.