Daily Readings - Fri Sep 02 2022
1 Corinthians
1So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God.2Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.3I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself.4My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me.5Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.
Luke
33They said to him, "John's disciples often fast and pray, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours go on eating and drinking."34Jesus answered, "Can you make the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them?35But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; in those days they will fast."36He told them this parable: "No one tears a patch from a new garment and sews it on an old one. If he does, he will have torn the new garment, and the patch from the new will not match the old.37And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined.38No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins.39And no one after drinking old wine wants the new, for he says, 'The old is better.'"
Sermon
Today’s readings invite us to reflect on the nature of faith, judgment, and the newness of God’s plan. In the first reading from 1 Corinthians, St. Paul humbly reminds us that we are but ministers of Christ, entrusted with the mysteries of God. He warns against judging others or ourselves prematurely, for it is the Lord who will ultimately judge us. Paul emphasizes faithfulness as the primary virtue for those who serve God, and he cautions against complacency, reminding us that our true worth is measured not by human standards but by God’s judgment.
In the Gospel, Jesus responds to criticism about his disciples’ lack of fasting by comparing himself to a groom celebrating with his friends. He explains that his presence brings joy, and fasting is unnecessary while he is with them. Jesus then uses two parables—the patch on the garment and the new wine in old wineskins—to illustrate that his message cannot be confined to the old ways of thinking. The newness of his teaching requires openness and a willingness to embrace change, rather than clinging to outdated traditions.
Together, these readings remind us that our faith is not about rigid rules or external appearances but about trusting in God’s plan and remaining open to the newness of life he offers. In a world that often values judgment and control, we are called to humility, faithfulness, and a willingness to let go of the old to embrace the new. Let us ask ourselves: Are we open to the Holy Spirit’s guidance in our lives? Do we trust in God’s judgment rather than our own? May we, like St. Paul, focus on being faithful servants, and may we, like Jesus’ disciples, embrace the joy and freedom of the Gospel with open hearts.