Daily Readings - Mon Sep 06 2021
Colossians
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 Church25For I have become a minister of the Church, according to the dispensation of God that has been given to me among you, so that I may fulfill the Word of God26the mystery which had remained hidden to past ages and generations, but which now is manifested to his saints27To them, God willed to make known the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ and the hope of his glory within you28We are announcing him, correcting every man and teaching every man, with all wisdom, so that we may offer every man perfect in Christ Jesus29In him, too, I labor, striving according to his action within me, which he works in virtue
1For I want you to know the kind of solicitude that I have for you, and for those who are at Laodicea, as well as for those who have not seen my face in the flesh2May their hearts be consoled and instructed in charity, with all the riches of a plenitude of understanding, with knowledge of the mystery of God the Father and of Christ Jesus3For in him are hidden all treasures of wisdom and knowledge
Luke
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 two powerful reflections on the nature of God’s love and our response to it. The first reading from Colossians speaks of St. Paul’s deep union with Christ, as he describes his sufferings on behalf of the Church and the mystery of God’s plan revealed through Christ. Paul sees himself as a minister of the Church, entrusted with the task of making known the riches of God’s glory among all people. He emphasizes that Christ is the source of all wisdom and knowledge, and that our ultimate goal is to be perfected in him. The reading invites us to reflect on our own role in sharing the Gospel and living out our faith with integrity.
The Gospel from Luke presents a dramatic scene in which Jesus heals a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath. The Pharisees and scribes are more concerned with whether Jesus is breaking the law than with the man’s suffering. Jesus, however, sees beyond their legalism and acts with compassion, restoring the man’s hand. This act of healing sparks anger in his opponents, revealing the tension between rigid adherence to rules and the call to love and serve others. The passage challenges us to consider how we prioritize compassion and mercy in our own lives, especially when faced with societal or religious expectations.
Both readings remind us that our faith is not just about rules or doctrines but about living out God’s love in the world. Paul’s suffering and Jesus’ act of healing demonstrate that true service to God involves self-giving love and a willingness to challenge the status quo for the sake of others. As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: Are we allowing Christ’s love to transform us? Are we willing to step out of our comfort zones to serve others, even when it requires courage or sacrifice? May we, like Paul and Jesus, be instruments of God’s healing and hope in a world that so desperately needs it.