Daily Readings - Fri Dec 07 2018
Isaiah
17In not more than a little while and a brief time, Lebanon will be turned into a fruitful field, and a fruitful field will be considered to be a forest18And in that day, the deaf will hear the words of a book, and out of darkness and obscurity the eyes of the blind will see19And the meek will increase their rejoicing in the Lord, and the poor among men will exult in the Holy One of Israel20For the one who was prevailing has failed, the one who was mocking has been consumed, and all those who were standing guard over iniquity have been cut down21For they caused men to sin by a word, and they supplanted him who argued against them at the gates, and they turned away from justice in vain22Because of this, thus says the Lord, he who has redeemed Abraham, to the house of Jacob: From now on, Jacob will not be confounded; from now on his countenance will not blush with shame23Instead, when he sees his children, they will be the work of my hands in his midst, sanctifying my name, and they will sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and they will preach the God of Israel24And those who had gone astray in spirit will know understanding, and those who had murmured will learn the law
Matthew
27And as Jesus passed from there, two blind men followed him, crying out and saying, "Take pity on us, Son of David.28And when he had arrived at the house, the blind men approached him. And Jesus said to them, "Do you trust that I am able to do this for you?" They say to him, "Certainly, Lord.29Then he touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith, so let it be done for you.30And their eyes were opened. And Jesus warned them, saying, "See to it that no one knows of this.31But going out, they spread the news of it to all that land
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful messages of hope, healing, and the transformative power of faith. The first reading from Isaiah paints a vivid picture of a future time when God will restore His people, bringing light to those in darkness and hope to the afflicted. Lebanon, once a symbol of fertility, will flourish again, and the deaf and blind will experience the miracle of healing. This prophecy speaks of a time when God’s justice will prevail, and His people will rejoice in His holiness. It is a message of redemption and renewal, reminding us that even in times of despair, God’s plan for restoration is at work.
The Gospel reading from Matthew brings this prophecy to life in the person of Jesus Christ. As Jesus walks through the streets, two blind men cry out to Him, acknowledging Him as the “Son of David,” a title rich with messianic significance. Jesus, moved by their faith, heals them, restoring their sight. Yet, He instructs them to keep this miracle quiet, a request they cannot help but disregard, so overwhelmed are they by the gift they have received. This passage reminds us that faith is not just about believing in God’s power but also about trusting in His goodness and being open to the ways He wants to work in our lives.
These readings invite us to reflect on our own relationship with God. Like the blind men, we are called to approach Him with faith and trust, even when we cannot see the full picture of His plan. Isaiah’s vision of restoration encourages us to hold onto hope, knowing that God is always working to bring light into our darkness. As we go about our daily lives, may we remain open to the ways God wants to heal and transform us. And like the blind men, may we not keep silent about the ways He has touched our lives, sharing the Good News with others and giving glory to His name.