Daily Readings - Sun Nov 23 2025

¹Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, "Behold, we are your bone and flesh.²In times past, when Saul was king over us, it was you who led out and brought in Israel. And the LORD said to you, 'You shall be shepherd of my people Israel, and you shall be prince over Israel.'"³So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the LORD, and they anointed David king over Israel.

Colossians

Chapter 1

¹²giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.¹³He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,¹⁴in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.¹⁵He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.¹⁶For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things were created through him and for him.¹⁷And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.¹⁸And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.¹⁹For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,²⁰and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

Luke

Chapter 23

³⁵And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, "He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!"³⁶The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine³⁷and saying, "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!"³⁸There was also an inscription over him, "This is the King of the Jews."³⁹One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, "Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!"⁴⁰But the other rebuked him, saying, "Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?⁴¹And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong."⁴²And he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."⁴³And he said to him, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."

Sermon

In today’s readings, we encounter three distinct yet interconnected scenes that guide us toward a deeper understanding of leadership, redemption, and divine love. The first reading from 2 Samuel recounts David’s anointing as King of Israel, highlighting the people’s recognition of his leadership and God’s covenant with him. This historical event sets the stage for reflecting on leadership as a sacred trust, entrusted not for personal glory but for the welfare of the people. The second reading from Colossians presents a hymn to Christ, celebrating Him as the firstborn of all creation and the head of the Church. This passage elevates our understanding of Jesus beyond a historical figure, portraying Him as the divine ruler who reconciles all things through His blood. It invites us to contemplate the cosmic significance of Christ’s mission and our place within His redemptive plan. The Gospel from Luke vividly depicts the crucifixion, where Jesus, mocked as the King of the Jews, embodies humility and forgiveness. The exchange with the repentant thief illustrates the transformative power of faith and mercy. Here, Jesus’s kingship is not about power but about selfless love, offering salvation even in His final moments. These readings weave together to reveal Jesus as the true King, whose reign is characterized by love and redemption. In our daily lives, we are called to recognize Jesus’s gentle yet profound kingship. His leadership is a call to humility, compassion, and trust in divine providence. As we navigate our own trials, may we turn to Jesus, seeking His mercy and striving to reflect His love in our actions. Let us remember that true leadership, as exemplified by Christ, is not about dominance but about serving and bringing hope to others. In this, we find the essence of living under the reign of God’s love.