The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to seek communion with all people as we honour all the children of God with our service.
The Reading from the First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians presents consequences of Denial.
* [15:12–19] Denial of the resurrection (1 Cor 15:12) involves logical inconsistencies. The basic one, stated twice (1 Cor 15:13, 16), is that if there is no such thing as (bodily) resurrection, then it has not taken place even in Christ’s case.
* [15:17–18] The consequences for the Corinthians are grave: both forgiveness of sins and salvation are an illusion, despite their strong convictions about both. Unless Christ is risen, their faith does not save. (1 Corinthians, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 17 is the lament of an individual unjustly attacked.
* [Psalm 17] A lament of an individual unjustly attacked. Confident of being found innocent, the psalmist cries out for God’s just judgment (Ps 17:1–5) and requests divine help against enemies (Ps 17:6–9a). Those ravenous lions (Ps 17:9b–12) should be punished (Ps 17:13–14). The Psalm ends with a serene statement of praise (Ps 17:15). The Hebrew text of Ps 17:3–4, 14 is uncertain. (Psalms, PSALM 17 | USCCB, n.d.)
The Gospel of Luke presents support from Galilean Women who Follow Jesus.
* [8:1–3] Luke presents Jesus as an itinerant preacher traveling in the company of the Twelve and of the Galilean women who are sustaining them out of their means. These Galilean women will later accompany Jesus on his journey to Jerusalem and become witnesses to his death (Lk 23:49) and resurrection (Lk 24:9–11, where Mary Magdalene and Joanna are specifically mentioned; cf. also Acts 1:14). The association of women with the ministry of Jesus is most unusual in the light of the attitude of first-century Palestinian Judaism toward women. The more common attitude is expressed in Jn 4:27, and early rabbinic documents caution against speaking with women in public. (Luke, CHAPTER 8 | USCCB, n.d.)
Barbara Dilly offers a reflection today centers on how we do the privileged work of preaching Christ.
The next matter is how do we organize ourselves to share this good news. Everywhere in all mainstream Christian denominations, we are losing in numbers of clergy prepared to lead this work. …
Where are we today? The numbers of preachers and teachers are dwindling. Is everything falling apart? My faith does not allow me to think that. But we must ask anew, how will Christians continue preaching the risen Christ and invite others into an intimacy with God with joy? We pray the Holy Spirit is at work among us to show us how. I pray today that each of us will pray that everyone, including lay believers, will individually be about this work in our own way in everything we do. I pray that we all hear a new invitation to see the wondrous mercies of the glory of the Lord in the risen Christ. (Dilly, n.d.)
Don Schwager quotes “Everyone has something to give,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"Frankly, even the poor have something they can share with others. Let one lend feet to the lame, another become the eyes of the blind, another visit the sick, and another bury the dead. These are the things that everyone can do. Lastly, bear one another's burdens, and so you shall fulfill the law of Christ." (excerpt from Sermon 41,9) (Schwager, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments on the texts for September 18, 2026.
The Word Among Us Meditation on 1 Corinthians 15:12-20 comments that our decision to live as Christians makes no sense without the resurrection. That seems to be Paul’s main point in today’s first reading. He was answering a dispute in the Corinthian church, where some doubted the reality of a bodily resurrection at the end of time.
Everything hinges on the resurrection! Jesus has conquered death and sin. He has made us sons and daughters of God and has destined us for eternal life.
You have a home in heaven. Let that truth change the way you approach the challenges of this life, both small and large. Let it move you to stake your life on the resurrection. Try looking beyond “this life only,” and hunger for more of heaven each day!
“Lord Jesus, I long to be with you in heaven. I place my hope in you!” (Meditation on 1 Corinthians 15:12-20, 2026)
Father Richard Rohr, OFM, reminds us that above all, the apostle Paul preached God’s inclusive love. Paul gives us a basis for loving all others as Christ has loved us. Paul offers a theological and solid foundation for human dignity and human flourishing that is inherent, universal, and indestructible by any evaluation, whether it be race, religion, gender, nationality, class, education, or social position.
One of the reasons Paul’s teachings had so much influence in Asia Minor was that he restored human dignity at a time when the region was a key source of enslaved people, women were considered the property of men, temple prostitution was a form of worship, and oppression and injustice toward poor and marginalized people were universal norms. Most of the world was not yet aware that human rights even existed. Paul shouts into this corrupt and corrupting empire, “One and the same Spirit was given to us all to drink!” (1 Corinthians 12:13). He utterly levels the playing field: “You, all of you, are sons and daughters of God in Christ Jesus … where there is no distinction between male or female, Greek or Jew, slave or free, but all of you are one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:26–28). (Rohr, n.d.)
We are inspired by the Spirit to recognize the Presence of God in all the people we encounter on our journey.
References
Dilly, B. (n.d.). Daily Reflection September 18, 2026 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved September 19, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-september-18-2026
Luke, CHAPTER 8 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Reading. Retrieved September 19, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/8?1
Meditation on 1 Corinthians 15:12-20. (2026, September 19). The Word Among Us. Retrieved September 19, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/09/18/1671769/
1 Corinthians, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB. (n.d.). Dail y Readings. Retrieved September 19, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1corinthians/15?
Psalms, PSALM 17 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 19, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/17?1
Rohr, R. (n.d.). A Preacher of Love. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved September 19, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-preacher-of-love/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). The Women Provided for Jesus. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved September 19, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/
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