Daily Readings - Tue Sep 03 2019
1 Thessalonians
1Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you.2For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.3While people are saying, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.4But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief.5For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness.6So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.9For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,10who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him.11Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
Luke
31And he went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee. And he was teaching them on the Sabbath,32and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word possessed authority.33And in the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice,34"Ha! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are--the Holy One of God."35But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent and come out of him!" And when the demon had thrown him down in their midst, he came out of him, having done him no harm.36And they were all amazed and said to one another, "What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!"37And reports about him went out into every place in the surrounding region.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful themes: the call to vigilance and the demonstration of divine authority. The first reading from 1 Thessalonians reminds us that the Day of the Lord will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. It urges us to stay awake and sober, not in fear, but in hope, for we are children of light. The second reading from Luke’s Gospel shows Jesus teaching with authority and casting out a demon, leaving the people in awe of His power.
These readings are connected by the idea of preparation and trust in God’s plan. In Thessalonians, Paul emphasizes that we are not destined for wrath but for salvation through Jesus Christ. This salvation is not passive; it requires us to live as children of light, supporting and encouraging one another. In Luke, Jesus’ authority over the unclean spirit is a testament to His power to free us from the forces of darkness. Together, these readings remind us that our faith is not just about waiting but about living actively in the light of Christ.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to reflect on our readiness to meet God. Are we living with purpose and vigilance, or are we caught up in the complacency of the world? Like the people in the synagogue, we may face challenges that seem insurmountable, but Jesus’ authority over all things assures us that He can free us from any bondage. Let us strive to live as children of light, trusting in God’s power and grace. May we console one another and build each other up, knowing that we are called to live in union with Christ, now and forever.