Daily Readings - Sat Sep 06 2025
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 explore themes of reconciliation and freedom through faith in Christ. The first reading from Colossians emphasizes our reconciliation with God through Christ's sacrifice, urging us to remain steadfast in faith and hopeful in the Gospel. The Gospel from Luke presents Jesus challenging the Pharisees' strict Sabbath observance, highlighting His authority and the true purpose of the Sabbath as a time for humanity's benefit.
Both readings share a common thread of liberation through Christ. Colossians liberates us from sin, while Luke frees us from legalistic constraints, pointing us toward a life of love and mercy. This teaches us to prioritize our relationship with God over rigid rules, living out our faith with compassion and understanding.
The moral lesson here is clear: Christianity's essence lies in love and reconciliation. We are called to embrace a faith that is not confined by regulations but is lived through heartfelt connection and service to others, reflecting God's boundless love and mercy in our daily lives.