Daily Readings - Wed Sep 04 2019
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
The readings today remind us of the transformative power of faith and the mission of Jesus Christ. In the first reading from Colossians, Paul expresses gratitude for the faith of the Colossian community, highlighting their love for one another and the hope they have in Christ. He also acknowledges the role of Epaphras, who brought the Gospel to them and nurtured their faith. This passage emphasizes the fruitfulness of the Gospel in their lives, as it has spread and grown throughout the world. In the Gospel, Luke describes Jesus’ healing ministry, demonstrating His divine authority over sickness and evil spirits. Jesus not only heals Peter’s mother-in-law but also cures many others, showing His compassion and power. Despite the crowds’ desire to keep Him in one place, Jesus insists on continuing His mission to preach the Kingdom of God to other cities, fulfilling the purpose for which He was sent.
These readings are connected by the theme of faith and mission. The Colossians’ faith, rooted in the Gospel, bears fruit in their lives, just as Jesus’ ministry bears fruit in healing and liberation. Both readings remind us that faith is not static but dynamic, leading to action and service. The Colossians’ love for one another and Jesus’ compassionate healings show us that faith must be lived out in tangible ways. Jesus’ insistence on preaching to other cities also underscores the universal nature of His mission, which we, as His followers, are called to continue.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to reflect on how our faith is bearing fruit. Are we living with the same hope and love that characterized the Colossian community? Are we allowing Jesus to heal and transform us, so that we can, in turn, serve others? Like Jesus, we are called to move beyond our comfort zones and share the Good News with others. Let us ask ourselves: Am I using my faith to make a difference in the lives of those around me? Am I trusting in God’s power to guide me in my own mission? May we, like the Colossians and those healed by Jesus, be fruitful witnesses of God’s love and grace in the world.