Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: September 9, 2023

Date in the Ordine: Memorial of St. Peter Claver

Scripture Text: Colossians 1:21-23

Brothers and sisters: You once were alienated and hostile in mind because of evil deeds; God has now reconciled you in the fleshly Body of Christ through his death, to present you holy, without blemish, and irreproachable before him, provided that you persevere in the faith, firmly grounded, stable, and not shifting from the hope of the Gospel that you heard, which has been reached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, am a minister.

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The first reading today is from the Letter to the Colossians. In it Paul reminds us that the hope of the Gospel which reveals to us how Christ has reconciled us to the Heavenly Father, gives us cause to live as those we are called to be. We must persevere in faith. We must stand grounded in Christ, not allowing anything of this world to de-stabilize us, to draw us away from the one in whom we are centered.

How does this pertain to us today?

Today more than ever, there are so many entities who are opposed to Christ and to the gospel. Today, more than ever, we must hold tightly the hope of the Gospel and Christ’s love that purchased our reconciliation and life upon Calvary. Today more than ever, we must be willing to persevere and resist the temptations to turn aside, to grow lukewarm, to shift our attention.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

How focused am I am on Christ as my Lord, my Savior, my brother? How willing am I to withstand the pressure and temptations to turn aside? Do I have a persevering spirit and heart?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, through the actions of your beloved and only begotten Son who selflessly sacrificed himself upon the cross of Calvary for our sins, we lift our voices in praise and thanksgiving. We ask that You send your Spirit to help us fully embrace the hope of the Gospel, to persevere in our journey home. We ask this in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.