Daily Catholic Mass Readings for September 12, 2022
First Reading: 1 Corinthians 11.17-26, 33
17In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good.18In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it.19No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God's approval.20When you come together, it is not the Lord's Supper you eat,21for as you eat, each of you goes ahead without waiting for anybody else. One remains hungry, another gets drunk.22Don't you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you for this? Certainly not!23For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread,24and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me."25In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me."26For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.33So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for each other.
Psalm 40
1I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry.2He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.3He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.4Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.5Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare.6Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but my ears you have pierced,; burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require.7Then I said, "Here I am, I have come- it is written about me in the scroll.8I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart."9I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, as you know, O LORD.10I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and salvation. I do not conceal your love and your truth from the great assembly.11Do not withhold your mercy from me, O LORD; may your love and your truth always protect me.12For troubles without number surround me; my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails within me.13Be pleased, O LORD, to save me; O LORD, come quickly to help me.14May all who seek to take my life be put to shame and confusion; may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace.15May those who say to me, "Aha! Aha!" be appalled at their own shame.16But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation always say, "The LORD be exalted!"17Yet I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; O my God, do not delay.
Gospel: Luke 7.1-10
1When Jesus had finished saying all this in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum.2There a centurion's servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die.3The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant.4When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, "This man deserves to have you do this,5because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue."6So Jesus went with them. He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: "Lord, don't trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof.7That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed.8For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."9When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, "I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel."10Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two distinct scenarios that invite us to reflect on our approach to the sacred and our faith. The first reading from 1 Corinthians addresses the Corinthians' improper behavior during the Lord's Supper. Paul admonishes them for their selfishness and lack of reverence, reminding them of the Eucharist's profound significance as a proclamation of Christ's sacrifice. He emphasizes the need for self-examination and respect for the sacrament.
In contrast, the Gospel from Luke presents the centurion, a man of humility and faith. Despite his social standing, he recognizes his unworthiness and yet trusts in Jesus' power to heal his servant. His faith is not in his own merits but in God's grace, leading Jesus to commend him for his extraordinary faith.
These readings juxtapose two attitudes: the Corinthians' disrespect and the centurion's humility. They challenge us to approach sacred moments with reverence and selflessness. In our daily lives, let us embrace humility and faith, recognizing the grace offered to us. May we, like the centurion, approach God with hearts open to His will, and may we honor the sacred with the respect and gratitude it deserves.