Daily Readings - Tue Sep 05 2017
First Reading - 1 Thessalonians 5.1-6, 9-11
1 Thessalonians
1But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.2For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.3For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.4But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.5Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.6Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.9For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,10Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.11Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
Gospel - Luke 4.31-37
Luke
31And came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath days.32And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power.33And in the synagogue there was a man, which had a spirit of an unclean devil, and cried out with a loud voice,34Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art; the Holy One of God.35And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the devil had thrown him in the midst, he came out of him, and hurt him not.36And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word is this! for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out.37And the fame of him went out into every place of the country round about.
Sermon
In today's readings, we are reminded of the importance of vigilance and trust in God's plan. The first reading from 1 Thessalonians urges us to be prepared for the Day of the Lord, which comes unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. It encourages us to stay alert, as we are children of light, and to support one another in our faith journey. The Gospel from Luke illustrates Jesus' authority and power as He casts out a demon, demonstrating His divine power and the reason for our hope.
The context of these readings is rooted in early Christian communities preparing for the Second Coming and witnessing the manifestation of Jesus' divine authority. The Thessalonians were reassured that their destiny is salvation through Jesus, not wrath, while the people in Capernaum experienced firsthand Jesus' power over evil spirits. These events highlight the contrast between darkness and light, emphasizing our role as believers to live with awareness and trust in God's plan.
In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to remain vigilant and mindful, trusting in Jesus' authority. Just as Jesus demonstrated power over evil, we can face life's challenges with confidence in His presence. We are called to live as children of light, supporting one another and staying alert, knowing that our ultimate hope is in salvation through Christ. This teaches us to approach each day with purpose and trust, embodying the light of Christ in our actions and interactions.