Daily Readings - Wed Sep 06 2017
Colossians
1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,2To the holy and faithful brothers in Christ at Colosse: Grace and peace to you from God our Father.3We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,4because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints--5the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel6that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth.7You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf,8and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.
Luke
38Jesus left the synagogue and went to the home of Simon. Now Simon's mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Jesus to help her.39So he bent over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up at once and began to wait on them.40When the sun was setting, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them.41Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting, "You are the Son of God!" But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Christ.42At daybreak Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them.43But he said, "I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent."44And he kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound expressions of God's transformative power and universal love. The first reading from Colossians highlights the vibrant faith and love of the Colossian community, inspired by the hope of heaven. Paul rejoices in the Gospel's fruitful spread, attributing their spiritual growth to Epaphras' dedicated ministry. This epistle underscores the universal nature of the Gospel, flourishing wherever it is received.
The Gospel from Luke illustrates Jesus' compassionate ministry through healing and exorcisms, demonstrating His divine authority. Despite the demands of the crowd, Jesus prioritizes His mission to preach the kingdom of God beyond Capernaum, emphasizing the broader purpose of His ministry. This passage shows Jesus' balance of compassion and commitment to His divine calling.
Reflecting on these readings, we are reminded to trust in God's plan and timing. Like the Colossians, we should nurture our faith and love, recognizing the Gospel's universal reach. Emulating Jesus, we should embrace compassion and actively share the Good News. Our faith should inspire us to live with love and purpose, spreading God's message in our daily lives. Let us strive to trust, love, and serve, embodying the transformative power of the Gospel in our world.