Daily Readings - Wed Sep 06 2017
Colossians
1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,2To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae:Grace to you and peace from God our Father.3We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,4since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints,5because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel,6which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and growing--as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth,7just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf8and has made known to us your love in the Spirit.
Luke
38And he arose and left the synagogue and entered Simon's house. Now Simon's mother-in-law was ill with a high fever, and they appealed to him on her behalf.39And he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her, and immediately she rose and began to serve them.40Now when the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to him, and he laid his hands on every one of them and healed them.41And demons also came out of many, crying, "You are the Son of God!" But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ.42And when it was day, he departed and went into a desolate place. And the people sought him and came to him, and would have kept him from leaving them,43but he said to them, "I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose."44And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound expressions of God's transformative power and universal love. The first reading from Colossians highlights the vibrant faith and love of the Colossian community, inspired by the hope of heaven. Paul rejoices in the Gospel's fruitful spread, attributing their spiritual growth to Epaphras' dedicated ministry. This epistle underscores the universal nature of the Gospel, flourishing wherever it is received.
The Gospel from Luke illustrates Jesus' compassionate ministry through healing and exorcisms, demonstrating His divine authority. Despite the demands of the crowd, Jesus prioritizes His mission to preach the kingdom of God beyond Capernaum, emphasizing the broader purpose of His ministry. This passage shows Jesus' balance of compassion and commitment to His divine calling.
Reflecting on these readings, we are reminded to trust in God's plan and timing. Like the Colossians, we should nurture our faith and love, recognizing the Gospel's universal reach. Emulating Jesus, we should embrace compassion and actively share the Good News. Our faith should inspire us to live with love and purpose, spreading God's message in our daily lives. Let us strive to trust, love, and serve, embodying the transformative power of the Gospel in our world.