Catholic Mass Readings and Reflection September 13, 2024

13th September 2024 (Friday)

Psalter: Week 3

Reading of the Day

First Reading: 1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22b-27

Brethren: If I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship. What then is my reward? That in my preaching I may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel. For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings. Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

Psalm 84:3, 4, 5-6, 12 (R. 2)

R/. How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts!

Gospel Acclamation

V/. Alleluia

R/. Alleluia

V/. Your word, O Lord, is truth; sanctify us in the truth.

R/. Alleluia.

Gospel : Luke 6:39-42

At that time: Jesus told them a parable: “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye.

Daily Gospel Reflection

Friday – Twenty-Third Week of Ordinary Time

Guidelines: In the world of today, there is a stark lack of good leaders and guides. There is truly a desperate need for worthy and authentic guides

1. Today’s word of God drives home to us one significant theme, namely being good guides and leaders. Unfortunately, today’s society lacks such persons who guide and lead well. Instead, we have a breed of guides and leaders who easily misguide and mislead others in the wrong way. It is because they themselves do not know and see the way and they themselves do not walk the way. When one does not see the way, how can he show the way to others?

2. Thus, rightly the remark of Jesus applies to many today. Jesus asks, “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? Who then is a good guide and leader? What makes one a good guide and leader? First of all, it is the ability to see. See what? See different factors.

3. See the master. See the master who teaches and trains us to become like him. See then ourselves as his disciples who are never above the master. Our duty is not to overshadow the master, not to show ourselves greater than the master. Rather, it is always to submit ourselves to him in docility and strive to grow more and more in his likeness.

4. See our own defects and imperfections that are larger like “log” than those of others that are like “speck”. We need to avoid all our self-righteous and perfectionistic attitudes and approaches toward others. This will make us judgmental and accusative toward others while blind and indulgent toward ourselves.

5. See our vocation as a free and gratuitous gift. There is nothing to boast about. It is not one’s credit. Thereby, see also our mission as a gracious obligation. It is not a favour we do to God at our will and convenience. Rather, it is a necessity that is laid upon us. Therefore woe to me if I do not do the mission, the preaching entrusted to me.

6. See ourselves as servants and stewards at the service of the gospel. See ourselves as runners and athletes in the race. They discipline and exercise self-control. But it is not purposeless just as a runner does not run aimlessly or a boxer does not box beating the air. They aim at the wreath and prize.

7. Similarly we are on God’s mission. We see His will and kingdom and we want to show it to others as well. Thus, the ultimate purpose is not only that we receive the imperishable prize and reward of eternity.

8. It is not self-oriented or self-ending. Rather, it is also to bring others to God and His salvation. That is why St Paul says, “I have become all things to all people , that by all means I might save some.”

Practice: In a world that has a number of blind guides and false leaders, we are called to be guides who are clear-sighted to see the way. We must be authentic leaders who walk the way and show it to others and make them walk the same