Daily Catholic Mass Readings for September 3, 2024
First Reading: 1 Corinthians 2.10b-16
10but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.11The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.12We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.13This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.14The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.15The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man's judgment:16"For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ.
Psalm 145
1I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever.2Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever.3Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.4One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts.5They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works.6They will tell of the power of your awesome works, and I will proclaim your great deeds.7They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.8The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.9The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.10All you have made will praise you, O LORD; your saints will extol you.11They will tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might,12so that all men may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.13Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made.14The LORD upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.15The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time.16You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.17The LORD is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made.18The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.19He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.20The LORD watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.21My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD. Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever.
Gospel: Luke 4.31-37
31Then he went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath began to teach the people.32They were amazed at his teaching, because his message had authority.33In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon, an evil spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice,34"Ha! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are--the Holy One of God!"35"Be quiet!" Jesus said sternly. "Come out of him!" Then the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without injuring him.36All the people were amazed and said to each other, "What is this teaching? With authority and power he gives orders to evil spirits and they come out!"37And the news about him spread throughout the surrounding area.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound truths about the nature of God's wisdom and the authority of Jesus Christ. The First Reading from 1 Corinthians reminds us that spiritual truths are not discerned through human wisdom but through the Holy Spirit. Paul emphasizes that the Spirit of God reveals the depths of divine wisdom, which the "natural man" cannot comprehend. This passage invites us to humbly acknowledge our limitations and to rely on the Spirit for understanding the things of God.
The Gospel from Luke illustrates this spiritual truth in action. Jesus, filled with the Holy Spirit, teaches with authority and casts out an unclean demon. The people are astonished not only by His teaching but by the power with which He commands the evil spirit to depart. This scene reveals the connection between spiritual authority and the work of the Holy Spirit. Just as Jesus relied on the Spirit to fulfill His mission, we too are called to live in the power of the Spirit, trusting in God's wisdom and authority to guide us in our own struggles and challenges.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: Do we seek to understand God's will through the lens of the Holy Spirit, or do we rely solely on our own reasoning? In a world filled with confusion and darkness, we are reminded that true wisdom and authority come from God. May we, like Jesus, live in the power of the Spirit, trusting in His guidance and allowing Him to transform our lives and our world. Let us pray for the grace to discern God's will and to live as spiritual beings, not merely as "natural men," so that we may bear witness to the wisdom and authority of Christ in all we do.