Daily Readings - Mon Sep 11 2017
First Reading - Colossians 1.24 2.3
Colossians
Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:
In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Gospel - Luke 6.6-11
Luke
And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered.And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him.But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth.Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?And looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other.And they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound lessons on compassion and service. The first reading from Colossians reveals Paul's joy in suffering for the Church, emphasizing that all wisdom and knowledge are found in Christ. This highlights the idea that true wisdom is rooted in selfless service and love. The Gospel from Luke presents Jesus healing a man on the Sabbath, challenging the Pharisees' strict adherence to rules over human need, illustrating that compassion should always take precedence.
These readings connect through their emphasis on prioritizing love and service. Paul's suffering for the Church mirrors Jesus' compassionate act, showing that true faith is active and selfless. Both scenarios remind us that our actions should be guided by love, not just rule-following. This challenges us to reflect on how we balance rules with compassion in our daily lives.
The moral lesson here is clear: our faith must be lived through acts of love and service. Just as Jesus healed on the Sabbath and Paul embraced suffering for others, we are called to prioritize the well-being of others, even when it's inconvenient. Let us strive to embody this compassion, allowing our actions to be guided by love and a willingness to serve, just as Christ did.