Daily Readings - Sat Sep 09 2023
Colossians
21And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds,22he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,23if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.
Luke
1On a Sabbath, while he was going through the grainfields, his disciples plucked and ate some heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands.2But some of the Pharisees said, "Why are you doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath?"3And Jesus answered them, "Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, he and those who were with him:4how he entered the house of God and took and ate the bread of the Presence, which is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to those with him?"5And he said to them, "The Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful themes of reconciliation and freedom through faith. The first reading from Colossians reminds us that through Christ's sacrifice, we are reconciled to God, becoming holy and blameless. This reconciliation calls us to a steadfast faith, rooted in the hope of the Gospel. The second reading from Luke presents Jesus challenging the Pharisees' strict interpretation of the Sabbath, emphasizing that human needs and compassion should not be overshadowed by rigid rules.
Both readings highlight the freedom Christ brings. Colossians focuses on freedom from sin and alienation, urging us to remain faithful. Luke illustrates freedom from legalism, showing that faith should be lived with compassion. Jesus's authority over the Sabbath underscores that our actions should be guided by love and mercy rather than just rules.
Applying this to our lives, we are called to balance faith with practical acts of kindness. Our steadfastness in faith should lead us to serve others with love, prioritizing compassion over strict adherence to rules. The moral lesson is clear: our faith should inspire us to live with love and understanding, reflecting the reconciliation and freedom we have in Christ. Let us embrace this freedom, living out our faith with hearts full of love and service.