Daily Readings - Sat Sep 10 2022
1 Corinthians
14Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry.15I speak to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say.16Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?17Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf.18Consider the people of Israel: Do not those who eat the sacrifices participate in the altar?19Do I mean then that a sacrifice offered to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything?20No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons.21You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord's table and the table of demons.22Are we trying to arouse the Lord's jealousy? Are we stronger than he?
Luke
43"No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit.44Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers.45The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.46"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?47I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice.48He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.49But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete."
Sermon
In today's readings, we explore profound teachings from St. Paul and Jesus, both emphasizing the importance of living a life rooted in faith and integrity.
First, St. Paul addresses the Corinthian church, urging them to avoid idolatry and to fully embrace the Eucharist as a communion with Christ. He warns against the dangers of idolatrous practices, which can lead to spiritual corruption, and reminds us that our participation in the Eucharist is a sacred bond with Christ. This teaching serves as a reminder to examine our priorities and ensure that our hearts are not divided between God and worldly desires.
In the Gospel, Jesus uses the parable of the tree and its fruits to illustrate that true faith is demonstrated through actions, not just words. He teaches that a life built on His teachings is like a house founded on rock, able to withstand life's challenges. Conversely, a life that hears His words but does not act is like a house built on sand, vulnerable to collapse. This parable challenges us to reflect on how we live out our faith in daily life.
These readings connect by highlighting the necessity of authenticity and integrity in our faith. St. Paul warns against superficial religious practices, while Jesus emphasizes the importance of putting faith into action. In our daily lives, this means not just attending church but also living according to Christ's teachings. It means avoiding the idolatry of modern distractions and instead prioritizing a deep, personal relationship with God.
As we reflect on these teachings, let us consider how we can build a strong spiritual foundation. May we strive to live a life that truly reflects our faith, bearing fruit through our actions and choices, and may we always seek to deepen our communion with Christ.