Daily Catholic Mass Readings for September 6, 2023
First Reading: Colossians 1.1-8
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
Psalm 52
1Unto the end. The understanding of David. When Doeg the Edomite came and reported to Saul, David went to the house of Ahimelech. Why do you glory in malice, you who are powerful in iniquity?2All day long your tongue thinks up injustice. Like a sharp razor, you have wrought deceit3You have loved malice above goodness, and iniquity more than speaking righteousness4You have loved all precipitous words, you deceitful tongue5Because of this, God will destroy you in the end. He will pull you up, and he will remove you from your tabernacle and your root from the land of the living6The just will see and be afraid, and they will laugh over him, and say7"Behold the man who did not set God as his helper. But he hoped in the multitude of his riches, and so he prevailed in his emptiness.8But I, like a fruitful olive tree in the house of God, have hoped in the mercy of God unto eternity, and forever and ever9I will confess to you forever, because you have accomplished it. And I will wait on your name, for it is good in the sight of your saints
Gospel: Luke 4.38-44
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 power of faith and the universal call to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ. In the first reading from Colossians, St. Paul expresses his gratitude for the faith of the Colossian community and highlights the transformative power of the Gospel. He notes how the Gospel has reached them and is bearing fruit, just as it has throughout the world. This emphasizes that the message of Christ is not confined to one place or people but is meant to be shared universally. Paul also commends Epaphras, a faithful minister who brought the Gospel to the Colossians, showing the importance of individuals in spreading God’s Word.
In the Gospel, we see Jesus actively living out His mission to bring healing and salvation to all. He cures Peter’s mother-in-law, heals the sick, and casts out demons, demonstrating His divine authority. Despite the crowds’ desire to keep Him in one place, Jesus insists on moving forward to preach the kingdom of God in other cities. This shows that the mission of Christ is not static; it requires movement, sacrifice, and a willingness to reach beyond the familiar. Jesus’ example teaches us that our faith is not just for ourselves but for the benefit of others.
These readings invite us to reflect on our own role in sharing the Gospel. Like Epaphras, we are called to be faithful ministers of Christ, bringing His love and truth to those around us. Like Jesus, we must be willing to step out of our comfort zones to serve and proclaim the kingdom of God. In our daily lives, this might mean offering a kind word, praying for someone in need, or simply being present to those who are hurting. The moral lesson is clear: our faith must be active, compassionate, and outward-focused. Let us trust in God’s grace, as the Colossians did, and allow the Gospel to bear fruit in our lives and in the lives of others.