Daily Readings - Sat Sep 09 2023
Colossians
21Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.22But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation--23if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
Luke
1One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and his disciples began to pick some heads of grain, rub them in their hands and eat the kernels.2Some of the Pharisees asked, "Why are you doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?"3Jesus answered them, "Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry?4He entered the house of God, and taking the consecrated bread, he ate what is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions."5Then Jesus said to them, "The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful themes of reconciliation and freedom through faith. The first reading from Colossians reminds us that through Christ's sacrifice, we are reconciled to God, becoming holy and blameless. This reconciliation calls us to a steadfast faith, rooted in the hope of the Gospel. The second reading from Luke presents Jesus challenging the Pharisees' strict interpretation of the Sabbath, emphasizing that human needs and compassion should not be overshadowed by rigid rules.
Both readings highlight the freedom Christ brings. Colossians focuses on freedom from sin and alienation, urging us to remain faithful. Luke illustrates freedom from legalism, showing that faith should be lived with compassion. Jesus's authority over the Sabbath underscores that our actions should be guided by love and mercy rather than just rules.
Applying this to our lives, we are called to balance faith with practical acts of kindness. Our steadfastness in faith should lead us to serve others with love, prioritizing compassion over strict adherence to rules. The moral lesson is clear: our faith should inspire us to live with love and understanding, reflecting the reconciliation and freedom we have in Christ. Let us embrace this freedom, living out our faith with hearts full of love and service.