Daily Readings - Wed Sep 06 2017

First Reading - Colossians 1.1-8

¹Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother,²To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.³We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,⁴Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints,⁵For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;⁶Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:⁷As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ;⁸Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.

Gospel - Luke 4.38-44

Luke

Chapter 4

³⁸And he arose out of the synagogue, and entered into Simon's house. And Simon's wife's mother was taken with a great fever; and they besought him for her.³⁹And he stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her: and immediately she arose and ministered unto them.⁴⁰Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them.⁴¹And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ.⁴²And when it was day, he departed and went into a desert place: and the people sought him, and came unto him, and stayed him, that he should not depart from them.⁴³And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent.⁴⁴And he preached in the synagogues of Galilee.

Sermon

In today's readings, we encounter two profound expressions of God's transformative power and universal love. The first reading from Colossians highlights the vibrant faith and love of the Colossian community, inspired by the hope of heaven. Paul rejoices in the Gospel's fruitful spread, attributing their spiritual growth to Epaphras' dedicated ministry. This epistle underscores the universal nature of the Gospel, flourishing wherever it is received. The Gospel from Luke illustrates Jesus' compassionate ministry through healing and exorcisms, demonstrating His divine authority. Despite the demands of the crowd, Jesus prioritizes His mission to preach the kingdom of God beyond Capernaum, emphasizing the broader purpose of His ministry. This passage shows Jesus' balance of compassion and commitment to His divine calling. Reflecting on these readings, we are reminded to trust in God's plan and timing. Like the Colossians, we should nurture our faith and love, recognizing the Gospel's universal reach. Emulating Jesus, we should embrace compassion and actively share the Good News. Our faith should inspire us to live with love and purpose, spreading God's message in our daily lives. Let us strive to trust, love, and serve, embodying the transformative power of the Gospel in our world.