Daily Readings - Wed Sep 04 2019
Colossians
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.
Luke
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
The readings today remind us of the transformative power of faith and the mission of Jesus Christ. In the first reading from Colossians, Paul expresses gratitude for the faith of the Colossian community, highlighting their love for one another and the hope they have in Christ. He also acknowledges the role of Epaphras, who brought the Gospel to them and nurtured their faith. This passage emphasizes the fruitfulness of the Gospel in their lives, as it has spread and grown throughout the world. In the Gospel, Luke describes Jesus’ healing ministry, demonstrating His divine authority over sickness and evil spirits. Jesus not only heals Peter’s mother-in-law but also cures many others, showing His compassion and power. Despite the crowds’ desire to keep Him in one place, Jesus insists on continuing His mission to preach the Kingdom of God to other cities, fulfilling the purpose for which He was sent.
These readings are connected by the theme of faith and mission. The Colossians’ faith, rooted in the Gospel, bears fruit in their lives, just as Jesus’ ministry bears fruit in healing and liberation. Both readings remind us that faith is not static but dynamic, leading to action and service. The Colossians’ love for one another and Jesus’ compassionate healings show us that faith must be lived out in tangible ways. Jesus’ insistence on preaching to other cities also underscores the universal nature of His mission, which we, as His followers, are called to continue.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to reflect on how our faith is bearing fruit. Are we living with the same hope and love that characterized the Colossian community? Are we allowing Jesus to heal and transform us, so that we can, in turn, serve others? Like Jesus, we are called to move beyond our comfort zones and share the Good News with others. Let us ask ourselves: Am I using my faith to make a difference in the lives of those around me? Am I trusting in God’s power to guide me in my own mission? May we, like the Colossians and those healed by Jesus, be fruitful witnesses of God’s love and grace in the world.