Daily Readings - Wed Sep 13 2023
Colossians
1Therefore, if you have risen together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God2Consider the things that are above, not the things that are upon the earth3For you have died, and so your life is hidden with Christ in God4When Christ, your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory5Therefore, mortify your body, while it is upon the earth. For because of fornication, impurity, lust, evil desires, and avarice, which are a kind of service to idols6the wrath of God has overwhelmed the sons of unbelief7You, too, walked in these things, in times past, when you were living among them8But now you must set aside all these things: anger, indignation, malice, blasphemy, and indecent speech from your mouth9Do not lie to one another. Strip yourselves of the old man, with his deeds10and clothe yourself with the new man, who has been renewed by knowledge, in accord with the image of the One who created him11where there is neither Gentile nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian nor Scythian, servant nor free. Instead, Christ is everything, in everyone
Luke
20And lifting up his eyes to his disciples, he said: "Blessed are you poor, for yours is the kingdom of God21Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who are weeping now, for you shall laugh22Blessed shall you be when men will have hated you, and when they will have separated you and reproached you, and thrown out your name as if evil, because of the Son of man23Be glad in that day and exult. For behold, your reward is great in heaven. For these same things their fathers did to the prophets24Yet truly, woe to you who are wealthy, for you have your consolation25Woe to you who are satisfied, for you will be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep26Woe to you when men will have blessed you. For these same things their fathers did to the false prophets
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the transformative power of living in Christ and the call to embrace a life of humility and compassion. In the first reading from Colossians, St. Paul urges the community to seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. He reminds them that their old way of life, marked by sin and division, has been left behind, and they are now called to live as new creatures in Christ. This new life is characterized by unity, equality, and freedom from the burdens of sin and worldly desires. The Apostle emphasizes that in Christ, all distinctions disappear, and we are all one in him.
In the Gospel, Luke presents Jesus delivering the Beatitudes, a profound teaching on true blessedness. Jesus pronounces blessings on those who are poor, hungry, and weeping, while issuing warnings to those who are wealthy, satisfied, and laughing now. This reversal of fortunes challenges the conventional understanding of happiness and success. Jesus is not condemning wealth or joy in themselves but is calling his followers to live with humility, detachment, and a deep trust in God’s providence. The Beatitudes remind us that true happiness comes from living a life of integrity, compassion, and fidelity to God’s will, even in the face of persecution or hardship.
Both readings call us to live in a way that reflects our union with Christ and our commitment to his teachings. St. Paul’s letter encourages us to strip away the old self and clothe ourselves with the new, living in accordance with the image of our Creator. The Beatitudes, on the other hand, remind us that our ultimate reward lies in heaven, not in the fleeting comforts of this world. As we navigate our daily lives, let us ask ourselves: Are we living as new creatures in Christ, or are we still clinging to the old ways of sin and division? Are we seeking true happiness in God, or are we settling for the temporary satisfactions of the world? May we embrace the call to live with humility, compassion, and trust in God, knowing that our true life is hidden with Christ in God.