Daily Readings - Mon Dec 02 2019
Isaiah
2In that day, the seedling of the Lord will have magnificence and glory, and the fruit of the earth will be greatly-esteemed and a source of joy to those who will have been saved out of Israel3And this shall be: all who are left behind in Zion, and who remain in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, all who have been written in life in Jerusalem4Then the Lord will have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and will have washed away the blood of Jerusalem from its midst, by means of a spirit of judgment and a spirit of intense devotion5And the Lord will create, over every place of Mount Zion and wherever he is called upon, a cloud by day and a smoke with the splendor of burning fire by night. For protection will be over every glory6And there will be a tabernacle for shade from the heat in daytime, and for security, and for protection from the whirlwind and from rain
Matthew
5And when he had entered into Capernaum, a centurion approached, petitioning him6and saying, "Lord, my servant lies at home paralyzed and badly tormented.7And Jesus said to him, "I will come and heal him.8And responding, the centurion said: "Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant shall be healed9For I, too, am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.10And, hearing this, Jesus wondered. And he said to those following him: "Amen I say to you, I have not found so great a faith in Israel11For I say to you, that many shall come from the east and the west, and they shall sit at table with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven13And Jesus said to the centurion, "Go, and just as you have believed, so let it be done for you." And the servant was healed at that very hour
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful visions of God's presence and promise. The first, from Isaiah, paints a vivid picture of a restored Zion, where God's people are purified and protected under a divine tabernacle. This passage, written during a time of turmoil, offers hope for a future where God's glory will shine forth, and His people will find refuge and joy. The tabernacle symbolizes God's enduring presence and protection, a sanctuary from life's storms.
The Gospel from Matthew shifts our focus to the present, as Jesus encounters a centurion whose servant is ill. The centurion's remarkable faith—recognizing Jesus' authority and humility—leads to a miraculous healing. This story highlights the universality of God's kingdom, where even those outside the Jewish community can find inclusion through faith. Jesus' response underscores that faith transcends boundaries, inviting many from all directions to partake in the heavenly feast.
These readings remind us that faith is our gateway to God's grace and healing. Like the centurion, we are called to trust in God's plan, even when circumstances seem uncertain. The tabernacle in Isaiah and Jesus' presence in Matthew both symbolize God's abiding refuge. In our daily lives, we can find strength in this assurance, knowing that through faith, we are part of a kingdom that embraces all people. Let us, therefore, approach God with humility and trust, seeking His healing and presence in our lives, and welcoming others into this universal feast of faith.