Daily Readings - Sat Sep 06 2025
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 explore themes of reconciliation and freedom through faith in Christ. The first reading from Colossians emphasizes our reconciliation with God through Christ's sacrifice, urging us to remain steadfast in faith and hopeful in the Gospel. The Gospel from Luke presents Jesus challenging the Pharisees' strict Sabbath observance, highlighting His authority and the true purpose of the Sabbath as a time for humanity's benefit.
Both readings share a common thread of liberation through Christ. Colossians liberates us from sin, while Luke frees us from legalistic constraints, pointing us toward a life of love and mercy. This teaches us to prioritize our relationship with God over rigid rules, living out our faith with compassion and understanding.
The moral lesson here is clear: Christianity's essence lies in love and reconciliation. We are called to embrace a faith that is not confined by regulations but is lived through heartfelt connection and service to others, reflecting God's boundless love and mercy in our daily lives.