Daily Readings - Tue Aug 31 2021
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
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of God’s authority and our call to live as children of light. In the first reading from 1 Thessalonians, St. Paul reminds us that the day of the Lord will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. He urges us to stay vigilant and sober, not living in darkness but as sons and daughters of light. This passage emphasizes the importance of being prepared for the Lord’s return, not out of fear, but out of trust in God’s plan and our union with Christ. The second reading transitions seamlessly into the Gospel, where we see Jesus exercising His divine authority by casting out an unclean spirit. The people are astonished not only by His teaching but by the power with which He commands the demons to depart. This scene underscores the reality of spiritual warfare and the triumph of God’s power over evil.
These readings are deeply connected. Both remind us that our lives are not governed by chance or darkness but by the light of Christ. In 1 Thessalonians, Paul calls us to live with purpose and hope, knowing that God has not destined us for wrath but for salvation. In the Gospel, Jesus demonstrates His authority over the forces of darkness, showing us that He is the Holy One of God. Together, they invite us to trust in God’s power and to live in a way that reflects our identity as children of light.
How do these readings apply to our daily lives? First, they remind us to stay vigilant in our faith, not allowing ourselves to be caught off guard by the challenges of life. We are called to live with sobriety and intentionality, trusting that God is always at work, even when we cannot see it. Second, they invite us to rely on Christ’s authority in our lives. Just as Jesus freed the man from the demon, He desires to free us from the spiritual bondages that hold us back. Finally, these readings call us to live as witnesses of God’s light in a world often shrouded in darkness. May we, like the early Christians, console and build one another up, living with hope and confidence in the Lord who has saved us.