Daily Readings - Fri Dec 06 2019
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 images of hope, healing, and transformation. The first reading from Isaiah paints a vivid picture of a future where the deaf will hear and the blind will see, where the meek will rejoice, and the poor will exult in the Holy One of Israel. This vision is set against the backdrop of a people in exile, struggling with despair and injustice. Isaiah reminds us that God’s redemption is not just a distant promise but a transformative reality that will restore creation and bring light to those in darkness. The prophet’s words are a call to trust in God’s plan, even when the present seems bleak.
The Gospel reading from Matthew brings this hope into sharp focus through the story of Jesus healing two blind men. These men, marginalized and excluded because of their disability, cry out to Jesus, “Have pity on us, Son of David.” Their plea is not just for physical sight but for a deeper restoration—they long to be seen and valued. Jesus, moved by their faith, touches their eyes and restores their sight. This miracle is more than a physical healing; it is a sign of the kingdom breaking into the world. Just as Isaiah spoke of a time when the eyes of the blind would see, Jesus embodies that promise, revealing himself as the one who brings light to darkness.
These readings invite us to reflect on how we encounter God in our own lives. Like the blind men, we often find ourselves in places of darkness, whether through suffering, doubt, or sin. Yet, Jesus stands before us, asking, “Do you believe I can do this for you?” Our response, like theirs, must be one of faith and trust. The readings also remind us that healing is not just for ourselves but for others. Just as the blind men could not keep their healing to themselves, we are called to share the light of Christ with a world still shrouded in darkness. Let us, then, approach life with the same persistence and hope as those two blind men, trusting in God’s power to transform us and through us, transform the world.