Daily Readings - Wed Sep 07 2022
1 Corinthians
1Now for the matters you wrote about: It is good for a man not to marry.17Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches.25Now about virgins: I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord's mercy is trustworthy.26Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for you to remain as you are.27Are you married? Do not seek a divorce. Are you unmarried? Do not look for a wife.28But if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this.29What I mean, brothers, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none;30those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep;31those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.
Luke
20Looking at his disciples, he said: "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.21Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.22Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.23"Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets.24"But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort.25Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep.26Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we hear St. Paul and Jesus offering wisdom about living in the world while keeping our hearts fixed on God. In the first reading from 1 Corinthians, Paul addresses questions about marriage, celibacy, and living in the present. He emphasizes that our earthly circumstances—whether married or single—are opportunities to live as God has called us. He advises detachment from worldly concerns, urging us to use the things of this world as if they were not our own, for the “figure of this world is passing away.” Paul’s counsel is practical yet profound: live simply, trust in God’s providence, and focus on what truly lasts.
In the Gospel, Jesus delivers the Beatitudes, a powerful reversal of the world’s values. He blesses the poor, the hungry, and those who weep, promising them the kingdom of God, satisfaction, and joy. At the same time, he warns the wealthy, the satisfied, and those who laugh now, for their comfort will fade. Jesus is not condemning wealth or happiness outright but challenging us to recognize where our true fulfillment comes from. The Beatitudes call us to trust in God’s plan and to find joy in Him, even amidst life’s struggles.
Both readings invite us to reevaluate our priorities. Paul reminds us that our earthly situations are temporary and that we should not be overly attached to them. Jesus calls us to embrace humility and detachment, to live in a way that reflects the values of the Kingdom of God. In our daily lives, let us ask ourselves: Am I living as God has called me? Am I trusting in His providence? Am I seeking true happiness in Him, even when the world’s comforts are lacking? May we find the courage to live simply, to love deeply, and to trust in God’s plan, knowing that our ultimate reward is in heaven.