We are called to that same healing power, love that Paul felt

Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor.

A reflection on the daily readings, for Tuesday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time, by Father Perry.

By Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor

+ This part of the letter to the Colossians is filled with Pauline passion.

Paul first praises the Colossians — or at least we could say that he cites the effects and the necessary faithfulness that they must continue to hold on to in Christ: “As you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in him, rooted in him and built upon him. …”

Stay faithful. See to it, because — and here come the warnings — Paul warns that there are many who will try to captivate them with “empty, seductive philosophy according to the tradition of men.”

But Paul also recalls the most powerful and profound mystery in their Christian life: “You were buried with him in baptism … you were also raised with him, through faith in the power of God.”

This letter is being written almost 20 years after Jesus walked the earth.

But as we switch now to an account from Luke, we see the same passionate storyline that Paul is filled with; but this time, coming from the lips of Jesus himself.

Jesus spent the night in prayer on the mountain; then day came, and he called his disciples — 12 of them whom he named as Apostles.

They came down from the mountain and now stood on level ground — then all heaven broke loose.

Then a great crowd of his disciples — and a large number of people from Judea and Jerusalem and Tyre and Sidon — came to hear him, to be healed by him, to have unclean spirits cast out, and to touch him because, when they touched him, they felt his healing power and the power of love.

All were healed!

And Paul felt that same healing power and love, and was absolutely committed to teaching him and preaching to him, and calling his beloved Colossians to remain faithful and faith-filled to and with him.

As are we.

Father Perry D. Leiker is the 13th pastor of St. Bernard Catholic Church. Reach him at (323) 255-6142. Email Father Perry at pleiker@stbernard-church.com. Follow Father Perry on Twitter: @MrDeano76.