Daily Readings - Wed Sep 03 2025
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
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that guide us in our faith journey. The first reading from Colossians is a heartfelt thanksgiving from Paul, acknowledging the vibrant faith and love of the Colossian community. He emphasizes their hope in the Gospel and the fruitful spread of the Word through Epaphras, a faithful servant. This sets the tone for a community rooted in gratitude and spiritual growth.
The Gospel from Luke vividly portrays Jesus' ministry of healing and compassion. Jesus heals Simon's mother-in-law, who then serves others, exemplifying faith in action. As the sun sets, Jesus heals many, demonstrating His divine authority. Despite the crowds' insistence for Him to stay, Jesus continues His mission to preach the kingdom of God elsewhere, showing unwavering commitment to His purpose.
These readings intertwine the themes of faith, service, and mission. Paul's gratitude mirrors the Colossians' active faith, while Jesus' healing miracles and persistent preaching illustrate living out one's purpose. For us, this means trusting God's plan, serving others selflessly, and fulfilling our unique mission. Let us embrace these lessons, nurturing our faith and actively sharing God's love in our daily lives, just as Jesus and the early Christians did.