Daily Readings - Wed Sep 06 2023
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 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.