Daily Readings - Wed Sep 03 2025
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 powerful narratives that guide us in our faith journey. The first reading from Colossians is a heartfelt thanksgiving from Paul, acknowledging the vibrant faith and love of the Colossian community. He emphasizes their hope in the Gospel and the fruitful spread of the Word through Epaphras, a faithful servant. This sets the tone for a community rooted in gratitude and spiritual growth.
The Gospel from Luke vividly portrays Jesus' ministry of healing and compassion. Jesus heals Simon's mother-in-law, who then serves others, exemplifying faith in action. As the sun sets, Jesus heals many, demonstrating His divine authority. Despite the crowds' insistence for Him to stay, Jesus continues His mission to preach the kingdom of God elsewhere, showing unwavering commitment to His purpose.
These readings intertwine the themes of faith, service, and mission. Paul's gratitude mirrors the Colossians' active faith, while Jesus' healing miracles and persistent preaching illustrate living out one's purpose. For us, this means trusting God's plan, serving others selflessly, and fulfilling our unique mission. Let us embrace these lessons, nurturing our faith and actively sharing God's love in our daily lives, just as Jesus and the early Christians did.