Daily Catholic Mass Readings for December 13, 2018
First Reading: Isaiah 41.13-20
13For I am the Lord your God. I take you by your hand, and I say to you: Do not be afraid. I have helped you14Fear not, O worm of Jacob, you who are dead within Israel. I have helped you, says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel15I have established you like a new threshing cart, having serrated blades. You will thresh the mountains and crush them. And you will turn the hills into chaff16You will winnow them, and the wind will blow them away, and the whirlwind will scatter them. And you shall exult in the Lord; you shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel17The indigent and the poor are seeking water, but there is none. Their tongue has been dried up by thirst. I, the Lord, will heed them. I, the God of Israel, will not abandon them18I will open rivers in the high hills, and fountains in the midst of the plains. I will turn the desert into pools of water, and the impassable land into streams of water19I will plant the cedar in a deserted place, with the thorn, and the myrtle, and the olive tree. In the desert, I will plant the pine, and the elm, and the box tree together20so that they may see and know, acknowledge and understand, together, that the hand of the Lord has accomplished this, and that the Holy One of Israel has created it
Psalm 145
1The Praise of David himself. I will extol you, O God, my king. And I will bless your name, in this time and forever and ever2Throughout every single day, I will bless you. And I will praise your name, in this time and forever and ever3The Lord is great and exceedingly praiseworthy. And there is no end to his greatness4Generation after generation will praise your works, and they will declare your power5They will tell of the magnificent glory of your sanctity. And they will discourse of your wonders6And they will talk about the virtue of your terrible acts. And they will describe your greatness7They will shout about the memory of your abundant sweetness. And they will exult in your justice8The Lord is compassionate and merciful, patient and full of mercy9The Lord is sweet to all things, and his compassion is upon all his works10O Lord, may all your works confess to you, and let your holy ones bless you11They will speak of the glory of your kingdom, and they will declare your power12so as to make known to the sons of men your power and the glory of your magnificent kingdom13Your kingdom is a kingdom for all ages, and your dominion is with all, from generation to generation. The Lord is faithful in all his words and holy in all his works14The Lord lifts up all who have fallen down, and he sets upright all who have been thrown down15O Lord, all eyes hope in you, and you provide their food in due time16You open your hand, and you fill every kind of animal with a blessing17The Lord is just in all his ways and holy in all his works18The Lord is near to all who call upon him, to all who call upon him in truth19He will do the will of those who fear him, and he will heed their supplication and accomplish their salvation20The Lord watches over all who love him. And he will destroy all sinners21My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord, and may all flesh bless his holy name, in this time and forever and ever
Gospel: Matthew 11.11-15
11Amen I say to you, among those born of women, there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he12But from the days of John the Baptist, even until now, the kingdom of heaven has endured violence, and the violent carry it away13For all the prophets and the law prophesied, even until John14And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah, who is to come15Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful messages of hope, transformation, and the nature of God's kingdom. The first reading from Isaiah offers a comforting promise from God to His people, reassuring them not to fear as He is their helper and Redeemer. Using vivid imagery, Isaiah describes God's transformative power, turning deserts into fruitful lands, symbolizing His ability to bring life and abundance where there was once barrenness. This passage speaks to God's faithfulness and the hope of restoration, likely directed to the Israelites during a time of hardship or exile.
The Gospel from Matthew shifts our focus to Jesus' words about John the Baptist, who is hailed as the greatest among those born of women. Yet, Jesus emphasizes that even the least in the kingdom is greater, highlighting the challenges and opposition faced in spreading the kingdom's message. This passage underscores the prophetic role of John, linking him to Elijah, and reminds us of the kingdom's enduring nature despite the violence it faces.
Both readings remind us of God's transformative power and the courage needed to trust in His plan. Isaiah's vision of a renewed land and Jesus' reflection on the kingdom encourage us to face life's struggles with faith, knowing God's power can bring forth new life. Let us embrace this hope, trusting in God's providence and recognizing His transformative work in our lives, even amidst adversity.