Daily Readings - Tue Aug 31 2021
1 Thessalonians
1But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.2For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.3For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.4But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.5Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.6Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.9For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,10Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.11Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
Luke
31And came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath days.32And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power.33And in the synagogue there was a man, which had a spirit of an unclean devil, and cried out with a loud voice,34Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art; the Holy One of God.35And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the devil had thrown him in the midst, he came out of him, and hurt him not.36And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word is this! for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out.37And the fame of him went out into every place of the country round about.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of God’s authority and our call to live as children of light. In the first reading from 1 Thessalonians, St. Paul reminds us that the day of the Lord will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. He urges us to stay vigilant and sober, not living in darkness but as sons and daughters of light. This passage emphasizes the importance of being prepared for the Lord’s return, not out of fear, but out of trust in God’s plan and our union with Christ. The second reading transitions seamlessly into the Gospel, where we see Jesus exercising His divine authority by casting out an unclean spirit. The people are astonished not only by His teaching but by the power with which He commands the demons to depart. This scene underscores the reality of spiritual warfare and the triumph of God’s power over evil.
These readings are deeply connected. Both remind us that our lives are not governed by chance or darkness but by the light of Christ. In 1 Thessalonians, Paul calls us to live with purpose and hope, knowing that God has not destined us for wrath but for salvation. In the Gospel, Jesus demonstrates His authority over the forces of darkness, showing us that He is the Holy One of God. Together, they invite us to trust in God’s power and to live in a way that reflects our identity as children of light.
How do these readings apply to our daily lives? First, they remind us to stay vigilant in our faith, not allowing ourselves to be caught off guard by the challenges of life. We are called to live with sobriety and intentionality, trusting that God is always at work, even when we cannot see it. Second, they invite us to rely on Christ’s authority in our lives. Just as Jesus freed the man from the demon, He desires to free us from the spiritual bondages that hold us back. Finally, these readings call us to live as witnesses of God’s light in a world often shrouded in darkness. May we, like the early Christians, console and build one another up, living with hope and confidence in the Lord who has saved us.