Daily Readings September 18, 2012

Tuesday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 444

First Reading from St. Paul's first epistle to the Corinthians

1 Cor 12:12-14, 27-31a

Brothers and sisters:
As a body is one though it has many parts,
and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body,
so also Christ.

Brethren, as our physical bodies have many parts and yet is one body, so is the Body of Christ.

For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one Body,

When we are baptized the Holy Spirit joins us to that one Body.

whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons,
and we were all given to drink of one Spirit.

It doesn't matter who we are or where we are from, when we are baptized, we drink of that one Spirit.

Now the body is not a single part, but many.
Now you are Christ's Body, and individually parts of it.

The physical body is not one part but many.  So are we many parts of one Body of Christ.

Some people God has designated in the Church
to be, first, Apostles; second, prophets; third, teachers;
then, mighty deeds;
then gifts of healing, assistance, administration,
and varieties of tongues.
Are all Apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers?
Do all work mighty deeds? Do all have gifts of healing?
Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?
Strive eagerly for the greatest spiritual gifts.

God has given us all different gifts to bring to the Church.  But we should strive for all of the greatest gifts.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 100:1b-2, 3, 4, 5

Response. (3) We are his people: the sheep of his flock.

Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
serve the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful song.

R. We are his people: the sheep of his flock.

Know that the LORD is God;
he made us, his we are;
his people, the flock he tends.

R. We are his people: the sheep of his flock.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
his courts with praise;
Give thanks to him; bless his name.

R. We are his people: the sheep of his flock.

For he is good, the LORD,
whose kindness endures forever,
and his faithfulness, to all generations.

R. We are his people: the sheep of his flock.

This Psalm repeats a metaphor which is frequently used to describe God's relationship to us.  He is called the Good Shepherd who guides us to green pastures.   Just as sheep recognize their shepherd, we should recognize God and show our love for Him by giving praise and thanks to Him.

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke

Lk 7:11-17

Jesus journeyed to a city called Nain,

Jesus went to the city of Nain.

and his disciples and a large crowd accompanied him.

Many were with Him.

As he drew near to the gate of the city,
a man who had died was being carried out,
the only son of his mother, and she was a widow.

As He approached, they encountered a funeral procession for a young man, the only son of his mother, the widow.

A large crowd from the city was with her.

A large crowd was with her as well.

When the Lord saw her,
he was moved with pity for her and said to her,
"Do not weep."

When Jesus saw her, He was moved and said, "don't cry."

He stepped forward and touched the coffin;
at this the bearers halted,

Then He stopped the procession.

and he said, "Young man, I tell you, arise!"
The dead man sat up and began to speak,
and Jesus gave him to his mother.

And He said, "Young man, get up!"  And the man who was previously dead, came to life and began to talk.  And Jesus led him to his mother.

Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, exclaiming,
"A great prophet has arisen in our midst,"
and "God has visited his people."
This report about him spread through the whole of Judea
and in all the surrounding region.

Fear and joy filled the people as the news of this great miracle spread throughout Judea and the surrounding area.

Sincerely,

De Maria