Daily Catholic Mass Readings for September 20, 2023
First Reading: 1 Timothy 3.14-16
14Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that,15if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.16Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.
Psalm 111
1Praise the LORD. I will extol the LORD with all my heart in the council of the upright and in the assembly.2Great are the works of the LORD; they are pondered by all who delight in them.3Glorious and majestic are his deeds, and his righteousness endures forever.4He has caused his wonders to be remembered; the LORD is gracious and compassionate.5He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever.6He has shown his people the power of his works, giving them the lands of other nations.7The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy.8They are steadfast for ever and ever, done in faithfulness and uprightness.9He provided redemption for his people; he ordained his covenant forever- holy and awesome is his name.10The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.
Gospel: Luke 7.31-35
31"To what, then, can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like?32They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to each other: "'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not cry.'33For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, 'He has a demon.'34The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and "sinners."'35But wisdom is proved right by all her children."
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of God's wisdom and our response to it. In the first reading from 1 Timothy, we hear about the Church as the "pillar and foundation of truth," emphasizing its role in upholding and proclaiming the mystery of God's plan revealed in Christ. This mystery, which transcends human understanding, is both a gift and a responsibility for believers. The Gospel from Luke presents Jesus critiquing the inconsistent expectations of His contemporaries, who judged John the Baptist for his austerity and Jesus for His openness, yet failed to recognize the wisdom of God at work in both. Jesus' words remind us that God's truth cannot be confined to human categories or expectations.
These readings are connected by the theme of wisdom and how it is received. The Church, as described in 1 Timothy, is the dwelling place of God's truth, where the mystery of Christ is made known. Yet, as Luke's Gospel shows, this truth is often met with resistance or misunderstanding. Jesus' critique highlights the danger of judging God's messengers based on preconceived notions rather than openness to the Spirit. Together, the readings call us to humility and discernment, recognizing that God's wisdom may come in unexpected forms.
In our daily lives, these readings challenge us to embrace the mystery of faith with openness and gratitude. Like the Church, we are called to be pillars of truth, yet we must also avoid the temptation to judge others based on appearances or expectations. Jesus' words remind us that wisdom is not about fitting into human categories but about living in harmony with God's plan. Let us strive to be children of wisdom, receptive to the ways God speaks to us, even when it challenges our comfortable assumptions. In doing so, we become living testimonies to the truth that sets us free.