Daily Readings for September 20, 2017

1ST READING

We live in a world that’s becoming more antagonistic to the Gospel every day. The witness of the martyrs, like those who gave their lives in establishing the Church in Korea, is so important for us, as their total commitment to their faith is what we and the Church need today. Let us imitate their faith in the face of difficulty, even death, and pray for the grace to do whatever it takes to witness to and proclaim the Gospel, in both word and deed.

1 Timothy 3:14-16

14 Beloved: I am writing you, although I hope to visit you soon. 15 But if I should be delayed, you should know how to behave in the household of God, which is the Church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth. 16 Undeniably great is the mystery of devotion, Who was manifested in the flesh, vindicated in the spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed to the Gentiles, believed in throughout the world, taken up in glory.

P S A L M

Psalm 111:1-2, 3-4, 5-6

R: How great are the works of the Lord!

1 I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart in the company and assembly of the just. 2 Great are the works of the Lord, exquisite in all their delights. (R) 3 Majesty and glory are his work, and his justice endures forever. 4 He has won renown for his wondrous deeds; gracious and merciful is the Lord. (R) 5 He has given food to those who fear him; he will forever be mindful of his covenant. 6 He has made known to his people the power of his works, giving them the inheritance of the nations. (R)

GOSPEL

No matter how well we preach or how good we are at explaining the truths of the faith, there will always be someone who will not be satisfied. All we can do is to respond as best as we can to what we think God is asking us to do. In fact, this is precisely what He asks of us as His disciples — to seek His will and to follow it every day.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life, you have the words of everlasting life.

Luke 7:31-35

31 Jesus said to the crowds: “To what shall I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? 32 They are like children who sit in the marketplace and call to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance. We sang a dirge, but you did not weep.’ 33 For John the Baptist came neither eating food nor drinking wine, and you said, ‘He is possessed by a demon.’ 34 The Son of Man came eating and drinking and you said, ‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ 35 But  wisdom is vindicated by all her children.”