Daily Catholic Mass Readings for September 15, 2023
First Reading: Hebrews 5.7-9
7During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.8Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered9and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him
Psalm 31
1In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness.2Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me.3Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me.4Free me from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge.5Into your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O LORD, the God of truth.6I hate those who cling to worthless idols; I trust in the LORD.7I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul.8You have not handed me over to the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place.9Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body with grief.10My life is consumed by anguish and my years by groaning; my strength fails because of my affliction, and my bones grow weak.11Because of all my enemies, I am the utter contempt of my neighbors; I am a dread to my friends- those who see me on the street flee from me.12I am forgotten by them as though I were dead; I have become like broken pottery.13For I hear the slander of many; there is terror on every side; they conspire against me and plot to take my life.14But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, "You are my God."15My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me.16Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love.17Let me not be put to shame, O LORD, for I have cried out to you; but let the wicked be put to shame and lie silent in the grave.18Let their lying lips be silenced, for with pride and contempt they speak arrogantly against the righteous.19How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you.20In the shelter of your presence you hide them from the intrigues of men; in your dwelling you keep them safe from accusing tongues.21Praise be to the LORD, for he showed his wonderful love to me when I was in a besieged city.22In my alarm I said, "I am cut off from your sight!" Yet you heard my cry for mercy when I called to you for help.23Love the LORD, all his saints! The LORD preserves the faithful, but the proud he pays back in full.24Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.
Gospel: Luke 2.33-35 or John 19.25-27
33The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him.34Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against,35so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too."
25Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.26When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son,"27and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect deeply on the mystery of Christ's mission and its implications for our own lives. In the first reading from Hebrews, we hear of Jesus, who, though the Son of God, learned obedience through suffering. This passage emphasizes that Christ's journey was not one of ease but of profound struggle and prayer. It reminds us that even in our own struggles, we can turn to God with cries and tears, trusting that He hears us. Jesus' obedience, far from being a sign of weakness, became the source of salvation for all who follow Him.
In the Gospel, Luke presents Simeon's prophecy, which reveals the duality of Christ's mission: He is both a cause of ruin and resurrection, a sign of contradiction. These words speak to the transformative power of Christ, who challenges us to confront our own hearts. Simeon's words to Mary, that a sword would pierce her soul, remind us that following Christ comes with a cost. It is through this suffering and contradiction that the thoughts of many hearts are revealed, calling us to examine our own hearts and align them with God's will.
These readings call us to embrace obedience and trust in God's plan, even when it leads us through trials. Like Mary, we are invited to stand faithfully, allowing the sword of God's truth to pierce our hearts, revealing our true intentions and desires. In a world often resistant to the Gospel, we are reminded that our faith will sometimes lead to contradiction and challenge. Yet, it is precisely through these struggles that we grow in holiness and become instruments of salvation for others. Let us, therefore, embrace the cross with courage, knowing that in doing so, we participate in Christ's mission of redemption.