Daily Readings - Sat Sep 09 2017

First Reading - Colossians 1.21-23

²¹And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled²²In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:²³If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

Gospel - Luke 6.1-5

Luke

Chapter 6

¹And it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that he went through the corn fields; and his disciples plucked the ears of corn, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands.²And certain of the Pharisees said unto them, Why do ye that which is not lawful to do on the sabbath days?³And Jesus answering them said, Have ye not read so much as this, what David did, when himself was an hungred, and they which were with him;⁴How he went into the house of God, and did take and eat the shewbread, and gave also to them that were with him; which it is not lawful to eat but for the priests alone?⁵And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.

Sermon

In today's readings, we encounter profound truths about faith, compassion, and the essence of God's law. The first reading from Colossians reminds us of our reconciliation through Christ's sacrifice, urging us to remain steadfast in faith. The Gospel from Luke presents Jesus challenging the Pharisees' strict Sabbath observance, emphasizing that human needs and compassion should guide our understanding of God's laws. Both readings highlight the importance of living out our faith with love and understanding. Colossians calls us to holiness and unwavering faith, while Luke's passage shows Jesus prioritizing people's well-being over rigid rules. This connection teaches us that our actions should be guided by love and service, reflecting God's heart rather than mere legalism. As we apply these teachings to our lives, we are reminded to approach challenges with compassion and faith. Let us strive to be reconcilers, bringing God's love into our interactions. By doing so, we honor the essence of our faith, living as holy and blameless children of God, guided by love and mercy.