Daily Readings - Wed Sep 04 2019
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
The readings today remind us of the transformative power of faith and the mission of Jesus Christ. In the first reading from Colossians, Paul expresses gratitude for the faith of the Colossian community, highlighting their love for one another and the hope they have in Christ. He also acknowledges the role of Epaphras, who brought the Gospel to them and nurtured their faith. This passage emphasizes the fruitfulness of the Gospel in their lives, as it has spread and grown throughout the world. In the Gospel, Luke describes Jesus’ healing ministry, demonstrating His divine authority over sickness and evil spirits. Jesus not only heals Peter’s mother-in-law but also cures many others, showing His compassion and power. Despite the crowds’ desire to keep Him in one place, Jesus insists on continuing His mission to preach the Kingdom of God to other cities, fulfilling the purpose for which He was sent.
These readings are connected by the theme of faith and mission. The Colossians’ faith, rooted in the Gospel, bears fruit in their lives, just as Jesus’ ministry bears fruit in healing and liberation. Both readings remind us that faith is not static but dynamic, leading to action and service. The Colossians’ love for one another and Jesus’ compassionate healings show us that faith must be lived out in tangible ways. Jesus’ insistence on preaching to other cities also underscores the universal nature of His mission, which we, as His followers, are called to continue.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to reflect on how our faith is bearing fruit. Are we living with the same hope and love that characterized the Colossian community? Are we allowing Jesus to heal and transform us, so that we can, in turn, serve others? Like Jesus, we are called to move beyond our comfort zones and share the Good News with others. Let us ask ourselves: Am I using my faith to make a difference in the lives of those around me? Am I trusting in God’s power to guide me in my own mission? May we, like the Colossians and those healed by Jesus, be fruitful witnesses of God’s love and grace in the world.