Daily Readings - Tue Sep 02 2025
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 themes of vigilance, trust in God’s power, and the 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 not to be caught off guard but to remain vigilant and sober, living as sons and daughters of light. This passage emphasizes the importance of spiritual preparedness and the hope that comes from knowing we are destined for salvation, not wrath. The Apostle encourages us to console and build one another up, fostering a community of support and encouragement.
In the Gospel, we see Jesus demonstrating his authority over evil spirits in the synagogue at Capernaum. The unclean spirit recognizes Jesus as the Holy One of God, and despite the demon’s resistance, Jesus commands it to leave, freeing the man. This passage highlights Jesus’ power over darkness and his mission to bring liberation and healing. The people are filled with fear and awe, recognizing that Jesus’ teaching and actions are unlike anything they have seen before. This miracle underscores the reality of spiritual warfare and the triumph of God’s power over evil.
Both readings call us to live with awareness and trust in God’s presence in our lives. Like the Thessalonians, we are reminded to stay spiritually alert, knowing that our ultimate salvation is secure in Christ. Like the people in Capernaum, we are invited to recognize Jesus’ authority and to trust in his power to overcome the challenges we face. In our daily lives, this means living with hope, remaining attentive to God’s will, and seeking to build up one another in love and encouragement. May we embrace our identity as children of light, walking in faith and trusting in the Lord’s plan for us.