Daily Readings - Wed Sep 06 2023
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 power of faith and the universal call to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ. In the first reading from Colossians, St. Paul expresses his gratitude for the faith of the Colossian community and highlights the transformative power of the Gospel. He notes how the Gospel has reached them and is bearing fruit, just as it has throughout the world. This emphasizes that the message of Christ is not confined to one place or people but is meant to be shared universally. Paul also commends Epaphras, a faithful minister who brought the Gospel to the Colossians, showing the importance of individuals in spreading God’s Word.
In the Gospel, we see Jesus actively living out His mission to bring healing and salvation to all. He cures Peter’s mother-in-law, heals the sick, and casts out demons, demonstrating His divine authority. Despite the crowds’ desire to keep Him in one place, Jesus insists on moving forward to preach the kingdom of God in other cities. This shows that the mission of Christ is not static; it requires movement, sacrifice, and a willingness to reach beyond the familiar. Jesus’ example teaches us that our faith is not just for ourselves but for the benefit of others.
These readings invite us to reflect on our own role in sharing the Gospel. Like Epaphras, we are called to be faithful ministers of Christ, bringing His love and truth to those around us. Like Jesus, we must be willing to step out of our comfort zones to serve and proclaim the kingdom of God. In our daily lives, this might mean offering a kind word, praying for someone in need, or simply being present to those who are hurting. The moral lesson is clear: our faith must be active, compassionate, and outward-focused. Let us trust in God’s grace, as the Colossians did, and allow the Gospel to bear fruit in our lives and in the lives of others.