Daily Readings for September 5, 2016

1ST READING

Paul reminds the Corinthians that accepting the Gospel and receiving baptism transforms their lives. We leave behind old ways to embrace the new. This is also the same with discipleship. By following Jesus, we discard the old ways of sin and embrace the new ways of holiness in the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 5:1-8

1 Brothers and sisters: It is widely reported that there is immorality among you, and immorality of a kind not found even among pagans — a man living with his father’s wife. 2 And you are inflated with pride. Should you not rather have been sorrowful? The one who did this deed should be expelled from your midst. 3 I, for my part, although absent in body but present in spirit, have already, as if present, pronounced judgment on the one who has committed this deed, 4 in the name of our Lord Jesus: when you have gathered together and I am with you in spirit with the power of the Lord Jesus, 5 you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord. 6 Your boasting is not appropriate. Do you not know that a little yeast leavens all the dough? 7 Clear out the old yeast, so that you may become a fresh batch of dough, inasmuch as you are unleavened. For our Paschal Lamb, Christ, has been sacrificed. 8 Therefore let us celebrate the feast, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

P S A L M

Psalm 5:5-6, 7, 12

R: Lead me in your justice, Lord.

4 [5] For you, O God, delight not in wickedness; no evil man remains with you; 5 [6] the arrogant may not stand in your sight. You hate all evildoers. (R) 6 [7] You destroy all who speak falsehood; the bloodthirsty and the deceitful the Lord abhors. (R) 11 [12] But let all who take refuge in you be glad and exult forever. Protect them, that you may be the joy of those who love your name. (R)

GOSPEL

Jesus is not concerned about the Law when it is contrary to the good of the person in front of Him. Jesus will always do the right thing at any given moment. We should imitate His pastoral response to any situation. Insisting on the letter of the Law will not facilitate the mission of the Church if it does not take into account the situation of each individual. We need to develop the heart and mind of God as we pastor His people.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me.

Luke 6:6-11

6 On a certain sabbath Jesus went into the synagogue and taught, and there was a man there whose right hand was withered. 7 The scribes and the Pharisees watched him closely to see if he would cure on the sabbath so that they might discover a reason to accuse him. 8 But he realized their intentions and said to the man with the withered hand, “Come up and stand before us.” And he rose and stood there. 9 Then Jesus said to them, “I ask you, is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?” 10 Looking around at them all, he then said to him, “Stretch out your hand.” He did so and his hand was restored. 11 But they became enraged and discussed together what they might do to Jesus.