Daily Readings - Wed Sep 10 2025
Colossians
1Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.2Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.3For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.4When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.5Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.6Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.7You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.8But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.9Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices10and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.11Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
Luke
20Looking at his disciples, he said: "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.21Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.22Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.23"Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets.24"But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort.25Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep.26Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are invited to reflect on our spiritual identity and the values that guide our lives. The first reading from Colossians encourages us to seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. It reminds us that our old way of life, marked by sin and division, has been set aside, and we are now called to live as new creations in Christ. This passage emphasizes unity in Christ, where distinctions like Gentile or Jew, slave or free, no longer matter. Instead, Christ is everything to everyone.
The Gospel from Luke presents Jesus’ Beatitudes, which challenge our worldly notions of happiness and success. Jesus blesses those who are poor, hungry, and weeping, promising them comfort and fulfillment in God’s kingdom. At the same time, he warns those who are wealthy, well-fed, and laughing now, for their current comfort will turn to hunger and sorrow. This reversal underscores the idea that true blessedness comes not from earthly prosperity but from a humble and compassionate heart.
Together, these readings call us to reevaluate our priorities and live in a way that reflects our identity as children of God. We are to let go of earthly desires and divisions and instead embrace a life of unity, humility, and trust in God’s promises. In a world that often values wealth and status, these readings remind us that our true worth is found in Christ. Let us strive to live with hearts open to God’s transformative grace, trusting that our ultimate reward lies not in this life but in the eternal kingdom of God.