Daily Readings - Wed Sep 04 2019
Colossians
1Paul, an Apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy, a brother2to the saints and faithful brothers in Christ Jesus who are at Colossae3Grace and peace to you, from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying for you always4For we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love that you have toward all the saints5because of the hope that has been stored up for you in heaven, which you have heard through the Word of Truth in the Gospel6This has reached you, just as it is present in the whole world, where it grows and bears fruit, as it has also done in you, since the day when you first heard and knew the grace of God in truth7just as you learned it from Epaphras, our most beloved fellow servant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ Jesus8And he has also manifested to us your love in the Spirit
Luke
38Then Jesus, rising up from the synagogue, entered into the house of Simon. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in the grip of a severe fever. And they petitioned him on her behalf39And standing over her, he commanded the fever, and it left her. And promptly rising up, she ministered to them40Then, when the sun had set, all those who had anyone afflicted with various diseases brought them to him. Then, laying his hands on each one of them, he cured them41Now demons departed from many of them, crying out and saying, "You are the son of God." And rebuking them, he would not permit them to speak. For they knew him to be the Christ42Then, when it was daytime, going out, he went to a deserted place. And the crowds sought him, and they went all the way to him. And they detained him, so that he would not depart from them43And he said to them, "I must also preach the kingdom of God to other cities, because it was for this reason that I was sent.44And he was preaching in the synagogues of Galilee
Sermon
The readings today remind us of the transformative power of faith and the mission of Jesus Christ. In the first reading from Colossians, Paul expresses gratitude for the faith of the Colossian community, highlighting their love for one another and the hope they have in Christ. He also acknowledges the role of Epaphras, who brought the Gospel to them and nurtured their faith. This passage emphasizes the fruitfulness of the Gospel in their lives, as it has spread and grown throughout the world. In the Gospel, Luke describes Jesus’ healing ministry, demonstrating His divine authority over sickness and evil spirits. Jesus not only heals Peter’s mother-in-law but also cures many others, showing His compassion and power. Despite the crowds’ desire to keep Him in one place, Jesus insists on continuing His mission to preach the Kingdom of God to other cities, fulfilling the purpose for which He was sent.
These readings are connected by the theme of faith and mission. The Colossians’ faith, rooted in the Gospel, bears fruit in their lives, just as Jesus’ ministry bears fruit in healing and liberation. Both readings remind us that faith is not static but dynamic, leading to action and service. The Colossians’ love for one another and Jesus’ compassionate healings show us that faith must be lived out in tangible ways. Jesus’ insistence on preaching to other cities also underscores the universal nature of His mission, which we, as His followers, are called to continue.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to reflect on how our faith is bearing fruit. Are we living with the same hope and love that characterized the Colossian community? Are we allowing Jesus to heal and transform us, so that we can, in turn, serve others? Like Jesus, we are called to move beyond our comfort zones and share the Good News with others. Let us ask ourselves: Am I using my faith to make a difference in the lives of those around me? Am I trusting in God’s power to guide me in my own mission? May we, like the Colossians and those healed by Jesus, be fruitful witnesses of God’s love and grace in the world.