Daily Readings - Wed Sep 06 2017

First Reading - Colossians 1.1-8

¹Paul, an Apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy, a brother²to the saints and faithful brothers in Christ Jesus who are at Colossae³Grace and peace to you, from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying for you always⁴For we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love that you have toward all the saints⁵because of the hope that has been stored up for you in heaven, which you have heard through the Word of Truth in the Gospel⁶This has reached you, just as it is present in the whole world, where it grows and bears fruit, as it has also done in you, since the day when you first heard and knew the grace of God in truth⁷just as you learned it from Epaphras, our most beloved fellow servant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ Jesus⁸And he has also manifested to us your love in the Spirit

Gospel - Luke 4.38-44

Luke

Chapter 4

³⁸Then Jesus, rising up from the synagogue, entered into the house of Simon. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in the grip of a severe fever. And they petitioned him on her behalf³⁹And standing over her, he commanded the fever, and it left her. And promptly rising up, she ministered to them⁴⁰Then, when the sun had set, all those who had anyone afflicted with various diseases brought them to him. Then, laying his hands on each one of them, he cured them⁴¹Now demons departed from many of them, crying out and saying, "You are the son of God." And rebuking them, he would not permit them to speak. For they knew him to be the Christ⁴²Then, when it was daytime, going out, he went to a deserted place. And the crowds sought him, and they went all the way to him. And they detained him, so that he would not depart from them⁴³And he said to them, "I must also preach the kingdom of God to other cities, because it was for this reason that I was sent.⁴⁴And he was preaching in the synagogues of Galilee

Sermon

In today's readings, we encounter two profound expressions of God's transformative power and universal love. The first reading from Colossians highlights the vibrant faith and love of the Colossian community, inspired by the hope of heaven. Paul rejoices in the Gospel's fruitful spread, attributing their spiritual growth to Epaphras' dedicated ministry. This epistle underscores the universal nature of the Gospel, flourishing wherever it is received. The Gospel from Luke illustrates Jesus' compassionate ministry through healing and exorcisms, demonstrating His divine authority. Despite the demands of the crowd, Jesus prioritizes His mission to preach the kingdom of God beyond Capernaum, emphasizing the broader purpose of His ministry. This passage shows Jesus' balance of compassion and commitment to His divine calling. Reflecting on these readings, we are reminded to trust in God's plan and timing. Like the Colossians, we should nurture our faith and love, recognizing the Gospel's universal reach. Emulating Jesus, we should embrace compassion and actively share the Good News. Our faith should inspire us to live with love and purpose, spreading God's message in our daily lives. Let us strive to trust, love, and serve, embodying the transformative power of the Gospel in our world.