Daily Readings - Thu Sep 12 2019
Colossians
12Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;13Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.14And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.15And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.17And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Luke
27But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,28Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.29And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also.30Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.31And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.32For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.33And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.34And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.35But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.36Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.37Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:38Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are reminded of the transformative power of living a virtuous life. The letter to the Colossians urges us to clothe ourselves with mercy, kindness, and humility, emphasizing forgiveness and charity as bonds of perfection. This is not just a moral code but a call to embody the peace of Christ, making every action a thanksgiving to God. In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus challenges us to love our enemies, lend without expectation, and avoid judgment, highlighting the merciful nature of our Heavenly Father.
The context of these readings is rooted in community and discipleship. Colossians addresses a community striving to live as new creations in Christ, facing challenges that test their unity and faith. Luke’s passage is part of the Sermon on the Plain, where Jesus sets a high standard for His followers, encouraging them to go beyond societal norms and embrace radical love and mercy.
Both readings intertwine the themes of virtue, forgiveness, and mercy, urging us to transcend ordinary standards. They call us to a life that reflects God’s merciful nature, transforming our interactions and fostering a community of love and compassion.
Applying these teachings in daily life might mean being kind to a difficult coworker, forgiving a family member, or refraining from judgment on social media. Each interaction is an opportunity to reflect Christ’s love, creating ripples of kindness in our circles.
The moral lesson is clear: our transformation through these virtues is not just individual but communal. By living as Christ taught, we become His likeness, changing not only ourselves but the world around us. This journey of love and mercy is our path to true discipleship, leading us closer to God and to each other.