Thoughts for the Day

As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition ... and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have come to fullness in him, who is the head of every ruler and authority.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

On the front corner wall of our house is a huge variegated shrub which is climbing up to the heavens. I shall shortly need scaffolding to reach the top and tie in the branches to the wall. It appears to be a Japanese Euonymus or Spindle tree. Unlike many of these, though, it's leaves are pale green with white streaks rather than dark green and yellow. I can't say I like the masses of miniscule flowers it drops in early summer, but as an all-round-the-year plant it's most attractive. However, there's a problem with this shrub. At the very top a shoot has appeared that is plain green and not variegated. Apparently it's trying to revert and reject its variegated beauty.

In today's reading Paul commands the Colossian Christians to live their lives 'in Jesus'. They are to be 'rooted and built up in him and established in the faith'. He means that like my shrub, that keeps on growing from its rootstock, and that is fed by soil, sunshine, and rain, they too are to keep on growing - in their case it's their faith that will grow. Their rootstock is the Lord Jesus Himself and they have been fed and watered by the Apostles' teaching, and by the Holy Spirit.

But Paul warns them not be side-tracked 'through philosophy and empty deceit' presumably Gnosticism and local gods (or in our case perhaps the god of materialism and the lies of social media). He also reminds them that the sign of a true Christian is gratitude for all that Christ offers to those who are rooted in Him and who try to be true to His teaching.

Lord Jesus Christ,
we were rooted in You
at our Baptism,
and over the years we have
begun to mature as children of God.
So may we be ever grateful
for the rescue plan that You initiated,
and remain true to our commitment,
to follow You in faith and trust.
Amen.