Daily Readings - Mon Sep 06 2021
Colossians
24Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church,25of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known,26the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints.27To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.28Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.29For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.
1For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face,2that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ,3in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Luke
6On another Sabbath, he entered the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was withered.7And the scribes and the Pharisees watched him, to see whether he would heal on the Sabbath, so that they might find a reason to accuse him.8But he knew their thoughts, and he said to the man with the withered hand, "Come and stand here." And he rose and stood there.9And Jesus said to them, "I ask you, is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to destroy it?"10And after looking around at them all he said to him, "Stretch out your hand." And he did so, and his hand was restored.11But they were filled with fury and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful reflections on the nature of God’s love and our response to it. The first reading from Colossians speaks of St. Paul’s deep union with Christ, as he describes his sufferings on behalf of the Church and the mystery of God’s plan revealed through Christ. Paul sees himself as a minister of the Church, entrusted with the task of making known the riches of God’s glory among all people. He emphasizes that Christ is the source of all wisdom and knowledge, and that our ultimate goal is to be perfected in him. The reading invites us to reflect on our own role in sharing the Gospel and living out our faith with integrity.
The Gospel from Luke presents a dramatic scene in which Jesus heals a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath. The Pharisees and scribes are more concerned with whether Jesus is breaking the law than with the man’s suffering. Jesus, however, sees beyond their legalism and acts with compassion, restoring the man’s hand. This act of healing sparks anger in his opponents, revealing the tension between rigid adherence to rules and the call to love and serve others. The passage challenges us to consider how we prioritize compassion and mercy in our own lives, especially when faced with societal or religious expectations.
Both readings remind us that our faith is not just about rules or doctrines but about living out God’s love in the world. Paul’s suffering and Jesus’ act of healing demonstrate that true service to God involves self-giving love and a willingness to challenge the status quo for the sake of others. As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: Are we allowing Christ’s love to transform us? Are we willing to step out of our comfort zones to serve others, even when it requires courage or sacrifice? May we, like Paul and Jesus, be instruments of God’s healing and hope in a world that so desperately needs it.