Daily Readings - Tue Sep 03 2019
1 Thessalonians
1But concerning dates and times, brothers, you do not need us to write to you2For you yourselves thoroughly understand that the day of the Lord shall arrive much like a thief in the night3For when they will say, "Peace and security!" then destruction will suddenly overwhelm them, like the labor pains of a woman with child, and they will not escape4But you, brothers, are not in darkness, so that you would be overtaken by that day as by a thief5For all of you are sons of light and sons of daytime; we are not of nighttime, nor of darkness6Therefore, let us not sleep, as the rest do. Instead, we should be vigilant and sober9For God has not appointed us for wrath, but for the acquisition of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ10who died for us, so that, whether we watch, or whether we sleep, we may live in union with him11Because of this, console one another and build up one another, just as you are doing
Luke
31And he descended to Capernaum, a city of Galilee. And there he taught them on the Sabbaths32And they were astonished at his doctrine, for his word was spoken with authority33And in the synagogue, there was a man who had an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice34saying: "Let us alone. What are we to you, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know you who you are: the Holy One of God.35And Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent and depart from him." And when the demon had thrown him into their midst, he departed from him, and he no longer harmed him36And fear fell over them all. And they discussed this among themselves, saying: "What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they depart.37And his fame spread to every place in the region
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful themes: the call to vigilance and the demonstration of divine authority. The first reading from 1 Thessalonians reminds us that the Day of the Lord will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. It urges us to stay awake and sober, not in fear, but in hope, for we are children of light. The second reading from Luke’s Gospel shows Jesus teaching with authority and casting out a demon, leaving the people in awe of His power.
These readings are connected by the idea of preparation and trust in God’s plan. In Thessalonians, Paul emphasizes that we are not destined for wrath but for salvation through Jesus Christ. This salvation is not passive; it requires us to live as children of light, supporting and encouraging one another. In Luke, Jesus’ authority over the unclean spirit is a testament to His power to free us from the forces of darkness. Together, these readings remind us that our faith is not just about waiting but about living actively in the light of Christ.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to reflect on our readiness to meet God. Are we living with purpose and vigilance, or are we caught up in the complacency of the world? Like the people in the synagogue, we may face challenges that seem insurmountable, but Jesus’ authority over all things assures us that He can free us from any bondage. Let us strive to live as children of light, trusting in God’s power and grace. May we console one another and build each other up, knowing that we are called to live in union with Christ, now and forever.