Daily Readings - Tue Sep 09 2025
Colossians
6So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him,7rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.8See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.9For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,10and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.11In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ,12having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.13When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins,14having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross.15And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
Luke
12One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.13When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles:14Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew,15Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot,16Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.17He went down with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of his disciples was there and a great number of people from all over Judea, from Jerusalem, and from the coast of Tyre and Sidon,18who had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. Those troubled by evil spirits were cured,19and the people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all.
Sermon
In today's readings, we find profound insights into the nature of our faith and our relationship with God. The first reading from Colossians reminds us to root ourselves in Christ, avoiding the pitfalls of worldly philosophies. It emphasizes that our true strength and identity come from Him, who has triumphed over all powers through His sacrifice on the Cross. The Gospel from Luke illustrates Jesus' deep connection with God through prayer, leading Him to select His apostles and embark on a mission of healing and teaching. This highlights the importance of prayer in aligning our actions with God's will.
Both readings encourage us to trust in God's plan rather than relying solely on human understanding. Colossians warns against being swayed by false teachings, urging us to stay firm in our faith. Luke's account shows Jesus' trust in God, demonstrated through prayer and His compassionate ministry. This balance of trust and action is a model for our daily lives, reminding us to seek God's guidance while actively living out our faith.
The moral lesson here is the importance of maintaining a strong spiritual foundation. Just as Jesus was both in prayer and in service, we too should cultivate a deep prayer life and be open to God's healing grace. By trusting in God and staying true to our faith, we can navigate life's challenges with confidence and compassion, reflecting Christ's love in all we do.