22nd Week in Ord. Time, Saturday – 09th September 2023 – Col 1,21-23; Lk 6,1-5
Inclusive Reconciliation
In the first reading, St.Paul continues to reflect on the role of Jesus in the divine plan of salvation. Having said that Christ has reconciled the whole world to himself and brought peace by his death on the cross (1,15-20), Paul reminds the Colossians that they themselves have experienced the reconciling effect of Christ’s death. He appeals to them to adhere firmly to Jesus as their only mediator with God. The “fleshy body” of his Son, is the locus where reconciliation takes place. The Colossians have been gifted by God and elevated from their sinful state in which they did not experience divine love in its fullness. It is through the death of Jesus that they have been made “holy and immaculate and irreproachable” and able to enter into the presence of God. Only thing that is expected of the Colossians is that they remain true to the foundation of their faith and keep close to the hope engendered by the Gospel message. In this reconciliation, Paul also mentions that he is a minister of the Gospel because he has also been chosen to be part of the salvific plan of God. Jesus continues this work of reconciliation between peoples everywhere.
