Daily Readings - Mon Sep 06 2021
Colossians
24Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.25I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness--26the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints.27To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.28We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.29To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.
1I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally.2My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ,3in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Luke
6On another Sabbath he went into the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was shriveled.7The Pharisees and the teachers of the law were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal on the Sabbath.8But Jesus knew what they were thinking and said to the man with the shriveled hand, "Get up and stand in front of everyone." So he got up and stood there.9Then Jesus said to them, "I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?"10He looked around at them all, and then said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He did so, and his hand was completely restored.11But they were furious and began to discuss with one another what they might do to Jesus.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful reflections on the nature of God’s love and our response to it. The first reading from Colossians speaks of St. Paul’s deep union with Christ, as he describes his sufferings on behalf of the Church and the mystery of God’s plan revealed through Christ. Paul sees himself as a minister of the Church, entrusted with the task of making known the riches of God’s glory among all people. He emphasizes that Christ is the source of all wisdom and knowledge, and that our ultimate goal is to be perfected in him. The reading invites us to reflect on our own role in sharing the Gospel and living out our faith with integrity.
The Gospel from Luke presents a dramatic scene in which Jesus heals a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath. The Pharisees and scribes are more concerned with whether Jesus is breaking the law than with the man’s suffering. Jesus, however, sees beyond their legalism and acts with compassion, restoring the man’s hand. This act of healing sparks anger in his opponents, revealing the tension between rigid adherence to rules and the call to love and serve others. The passage challenges us to consider how we prioritize compassion and mercy in our own lives, especially when faced with societal or religious expectations.
Both readings remind us that our faith is not just about rules or doctrines but about living out God’s love in the world. Paul’s suffering and Jesus’ act of healing demonstrate that true service to God involves self-giving love and a willingness to challenge the status quo for the sake of others. As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: Are we allowing Christ’s love to transform us? Are we willing to step out of our comfort zones to serve others, even when it requires courage or sacrifice? May we, like Paul and Jesus, be instruments of God’s healing and hope in a world that so desperately needs it.