Daily Readings - Tue Sep 02 2025
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
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of vigilance, trust in God’s power, and the call to live as children of light. In the first reading from 1 Thessalonians, St. Paul reminds us that the Day of the Lord will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. He urges us not to be caught off guard but to remain vigilant and sober, living as sons and daughters of light. This passage emphasizes the importance of spiritual preparedness and the hope that comes from knowing we are destined for salvation, not wrath. The Apostle encourages us to console and build one another up, fostering a community of support and encouragement.
In the Gospel, we see Jesus demonstrating his authority over evil spirits in the synagogue at Capernaum. The unclean spirit recognizes Jesus as the Holy One of God, and despite the demon’s resistance, Jesus commands it to leave, freeing the man. This passage highlights Jesus’ power over darkness and his mission to bring liberation and healing. The people are filled with fear and awe, recognizing that Jesus’ teaching and actions are unlike anything they have seen before. This miracle underscores the reality of spiritual warfare and the triumph of God’s power over evil.
Both readings call us to live with awareness and trust in God’s presence in our lives. Like the Thessalonians, we are reminded to stay spiritually alert, knowing that our ultimate salvation is secure in Christ. Like the people in Capernaum, we are invited to recognize Jesus’ authority and to trust in his power to overcome the challenges we face. In our daily lives, this means living with hope, remaining attentive to God’s will, and seeking to build up one another in love and encouragement. May we embrace our identity as children of light, walking in faith and trusting in the Lord’s plan for us.