Daily Readings - Mon Sep 11 2017

First Reading - Colossians 1.24 2.3

Colossians

Chapter 1

²⁴For now I rejoice in my passion on your behalf, and I complete in my flesh the things that are lacking in the Passion of Christ, for the sake of his body, which is the Church

Chapter 2

³For in him are hidden all treasures of wisdom and knowledge

Gospel - Luke 6.6-11

⁶And it happened that, on another Sabbath, he entered into the synagogue, and he taught. And there was a man there, and his right hand was withered⁷And the scribes and Pharisees observed whether he would heal on the Sabbath, so that they might thereby find an accusation against him⁸Yet truly, he knew their thoughts, and so he said to the man who had the withered hand, "Rise up and stand in the middle." And rising up, he stood still⁹Then Jesus said to them: "I ask you if it is lawful on the Sabbaths to do good, or to do evil? To give health to a life, or to destroy it?¹⁰And looking around at everyone, he said to the man, "Extend your hand." And he extended it. And his hand was restored¹¹Then they were filled with madness, and they discussed with one another, what, in particular, they might do about Jesus

Sermon

In today's readings, we encounter profound lessons on compassion and service. The first reading from Colossians reveals Paul's joy in suffering for the Church, emphasizing that all wisdom and knowledge are found in Christ. This highlights the idea that true wisdom is rooted in selfless service and love. The Gospel from Luke presents Jesus healing a man on the Sabbath, challenging the Pharisees' strict adherence to rules over human need, illustrating that compassion should always take precedence. These readings connect through their emphasis on prioritizing love and service. Paul's suffering for the Church mirrors Jesus' compassionate act, showing that true faith is active and selfless. Both scenarios remind us that our actions should be guided by love, not just rule-following. This challenges us to reflect on how we balance rules with compassion in our daily lives. The moral lesson here is clear: our faith must be lived through acts of love and service. Just as Jesus healed on the Sabbath and Paul embraced suffering for others, we are called to prioritize the well-being of others, even when it's inconvenient. Let us strive to embody this compassion, allowing our actions to be guided by love and a willingness to serve, just as Christ did.