Daily Catholic Mass Readings for September 3, 2022
First Reading: 1 Corinthians 4.6-15
6Now, brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, "Do not go beyond what is written." Then you will not take pride in one man over against another.7For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?8Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! You have become kings--and that without us! How I wish that you really had become kings so that we might be kings with you!9For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like men condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to men.10We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored!11To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless.12We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it;13when we are slandered, we answer kindly. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world.14I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you, as my dear children.15Even though you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.
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 6.1-5
1One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and his disciples began to pick some heads of grain, rub them in their hands and eat the kernels.2Some of the Pharisees asked, "Why are you doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?"3Jesus answered them, "Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry?4He entered the house of God, and taking the consecrated bread, he ate what is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions."5Then Jesus said to them, "The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath."
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful lessons on humility and the true spirit of faith. The first reading from 1 Corinthians reminds us that everything we have is a gift from God, urging us to embrace humility and avoid pride. Paul humbly acknowledges his role as a servant of God, emphasizing that true strength lies not in earthly accomplishments but in our reliance on divine grace. The Gospel from Luke presents Jesus challenging the Pharisees’ strict adherence to Sabbath laws, highlighting that compassion and human needs should take precedence over rigid rules. Jesus, as Lord of the Sabbath, teaches that faith should be a source of liberation and love rather than legalism.
Both readings connect through their emphasis on humility and service. Paul’s humility in recognizing God as the source of all gifts mirrors Jesus’ compassionate act of feeding His disciples, showing that true faith is about serving others with love. This teaches us to balance our spiritual practices with practical acts of kindness, ensuring that our faith is not just about rules but about positively impacting the lives of those around us.
In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to stay humble, recognizing the gifts we’ve received, and to approach challenges with compassion. Let us remember that our faith should inspire us to serve others selflessly, just as Jesus did. May we find the courage to live with humility and love, allowing our actions to reflect the grace and mercy of God.