Daily Readings - Tue Sep 09 2025
Colossians
6Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him,7rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.8See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.9For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily,10and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.11In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ,12having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.13And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,14by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.15He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.
Luke
12In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God.13And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles:14Simon, whom he named Peter, and Andrew his brother, and James and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew,15and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot,16and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.17And he came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon,18who came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. And those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured.19And all the crowd sought to touch him, for power came out from him and healed them all.
Sermon
In today's readings, we find profound insights into the nature of our faith and our relationship with God. The first reading from Colossians reminds us to root ourselves in Christ, avoiding the pitfalls of worldly philosophies. It emphasizes that our true strength and identity come from Him, who has triumphed over all powers through His sacrifice on the Cross. The Gospel from Luke illustrates Jesus' deep connection with God through prayer, leading Him to select His apostles and embark on a mission of healing and teaching. This highlights the importance of prayer in aligning our actions with God's will.
Both readings encourage us to trust in God's plan rather than relying solely on human understanding. Colossians warns against being swayed by false teachings, urging us to stay firm in our faith. Luke's account shows Jesus' trust in God, demonstrated through prayer and His compassionate ministry. This balance of trust and action is a model for our daily lives, reminding us to seek God's guidance while actively living out our faith.
The moral lesson here is the importance of maintaining a strong spiritual foundation. Just as Jesus was both in prayer and in service, we too should cultivate a deep prayer life and be open to God's healing grace. By trusting in God and staying true to our faith, we can navigate life's challenges with confidence and compassion, reflecting Christ's love in all we do.