Daily Readings - Tue Dec 11 2018
Isaiah
1"Be consoled, be consoled, O my people!" says your God2Speak to the heart of Jerusalem, and call out to her! For her malice has reached its end. Her iniquity has been forgiven. She has received double for all her sins from the hand of the Lord3The voice of one crying out in the desert: "Prepare the way of the Lord! Make straight the paths of our God, in a solitary place4Every valley will be exalted, and every mountain and hill will be brought low. And the crooked will be straightened, and the uneven will become level ways5And the glory of the Lord will be revealed. And all flesh together will see that the mouth of the Lord has spoken.6The voice of one saying, "Cry out!" And I said, "What should I cry out?" "All flesh is grass, and all its glory is like the flower of the field7The grass has dried up, and the flower has fallen. For the Spirit of the Lord has blown over it. Truly, the people are like grass8The grass has dried up, and the flower has fallen. But the Word of our Lord remains for eternity.9You who evangelize Zion, climb a high mountain! You who evangelize Jerusalem, lift up your voice with strength! Lift it up! Do not be afraid! Say to the cities of Judah: "Behold, your God!10Behold, the Lord God will arrive in strength, and his arm will rule. Behold, his reward is with him, and his work is before him11He will pasture his flock like a shepherd. He will gather together the lambs with his arm, and he will lift them up to his bosom, and he himself will carry the very young
Matthew
12How does it seem to you? If someone has one hundred sheep, and if one of them has gone astray, should he not leave behind the ninety-nine in the mountains, and go out to seek what has gone astray13And if he should happen to find it: Amen I say to you, that he has more joy over that one, than over the ninety-nine which did not go astray14Even so, it is not the will before your Father, who is in heaven, that one of these little ones should be lost
Sermon
In today's readings, we find a profound message of comfort and redemption. The first reading from Isaiah offers a vision of hope and renewal, urging the people to prepare for the Lord's coming. It speaks of a time when every valley will be lifted and every mountain lowered, symbolizing the removal of obstacles that hinder our path to God. The prophet calls us to be heralds of good news, much like John the Baptist, who prepared the way for the Lord. This passage reminds us that despite the fleeting nature of human life, God's Word endures forever, a constant source of strength and guidance.
The Gospel from Matthew complements this message with the parable of the shepherd who leaves 99 sheep to find the one that is lost. This story highlights God's deep care for each individual, especially the vulnerable. It illustrates the joy and love God feels when the lost are found, emphasizing that it is not His will for any to perish. This parable invites us to reflect on our own role in seeking the lost, whether in our communities or personal relationships, and to embody the compassion of the shepherd.
As we reflect on these readings, we are called to live out their message in our daily lives. Just as Isaiah and the shepherd demonstrate, we are to be instruments of God's love and redemption. Let us strive to create paths for others to encounter God, whether through acts of kindness, listening ears, or open hearts. May we find joy in bringing others closer to Him, just as He finds joy in our return. In a world that often feels lost, may we be beacons of hope, reflecting God's enduring love and care for all.