Daily Readings - Wed Sep 06 2023
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 power of faith and the universal call to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ. In the first reading from Colossians, St. Paul expresses his gratitude for the faith of the Colossian community and highlights the transformative power of the Gospel. He notes how the Gospel has reached them and is bearing fruit, just as it has throughout the world. This emphasizes that the message of Christ is not confined to one place or people but is meant to be shared universally. Paul also commends Epaphras, a faithful minister who brought the Gospel to the Colossians, showing the importance of individuals in spreading God’s Word.
In the Gospel, we see Jesus actively living out His mission to bring healing and salvation to all. He cures Peter’s mother-in-law, heals the sick, and casts out demons, demonstrating His divine authority. Despite the crowds’ desire to keep Him in one place, Jesus insists on moving forward to preach the kingdom of God in other cities. This shows that the mission of Christ is not static; it requires movement, sacrifice, and a willingness to reach beyond the familiar. Jesus’ example teaches us that our faith is not just for ourselves but for the benefit of others.
These readings invite us to reflect on our own role in sharing the Gospel. Like Epaphras, we are called to be faithful ministers of Christ, bringing His love and truth to those around us. Like Jesus, we must be willing to step out of our comfort zones to serve and proclaim the kingdom of God. In our daily lives, this might mean offering a kind word, praying for someone in need, or simply being present to those who are hurting. The moral lesson is clear: our faith must be active, compassionate, and outward-focused. Let us trust in God’s grace, as the Colossians did, and allow the Gospel to bear fruit in our lives and in the lives of others.