Daily Readings - Wed Sep 03 2025
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
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that guide us in our faith journey. The first reading from Colossians is a heartfelt thanksgiving from Paul, acknowledging the vibrant faith and love of the Colossian community. He emphasizes their hope in the Gospel and the fruitful spread of the Word through Epaphras, a faithful servant. This sets the tone for a community rooted in gratitude and spiritual growth.
The Gospel from Luke vividly portrays Jesus' ministry of healing and compassion. Jesus heals Simon's mother-in-law, who then serves others, exemplifying faith in action. As the sun sets, Jesus heals many, demonstrating His divine authority. Despite the crowds' insistence for Him to stay, Jesus continues His mission to preach the kingdom of God elsewhere, showing unwavering commitment to His purpose.
These readings intertwine the themes of faith, service, and mission. Paul's gratitude mirrors the Colossians' active faith, while Jesus' healing miracles and persistent preaching illustrate living out one's purpose. For us, this means trusting God's plan, serving others selflessly, and fulfilling our unique mission. Let us embrace these lessons, nurturing our faith and actively sharing God's love in our daily lives, just as Jesus and the early Christians did.