Daily Readings - Sat Sep 04 2021
Colossians
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;
Luke
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 two profound messages that invite us to reflect on reconciliation, faith, and the true meaning of the Sabbath. The first reading from Colossians reminds us that through Christ’s sacrifice, we have been reconciled to God, restored to holiness, and called to stand firm in our faith. The Gospel from Luke presents Jesus challenging the Pharisees’ rigid understanding of the Sabbath, emphasizing that the Sabbath was made for humanity, not the other way around. Jesus’ actions and words reveal that true observance of the Sabbath involves compassion, mercy, and meeting the needs of others.
The context of these readings is crucial. In Colossians, Paul is addressing a community that had once been alienated from God but is now reconciled through Christ’s death. He urges them to remain steadfast in their faith, rooted in the hope of the Gospel. In Luke, the Pharisees are focused on strict adherence to the law, but Jesus shifts the focus to the human heart and the importance of love over legalism. Both readings highlight the transformative power of God’s grace and the call to live in a way that reflects this grace.
These readings invite us to reflect on how we live out our faith in daily life. Are we rigid in our adherence to rules, or do we allow God’s love and mercy to guide our actions? The Colossians reading reminds us that our reconciliation with God is a gift that calls us to live with gratitude and integrity. The Gospel challenges us to see the Sabbath not as a burden but as an opportunity to rest, reflect, and serve others. As we go about our day, let us ask ourselves: Am I living as a reconciled child of God? Am I prioritizing love and compassion in my interactions with others? May we, like Jesus, bring light and life to those around us, remembering that the heart of God’s law is love.