Daily Readings - Sun Jan 12 2020
Isaiah
1Behold my servant, I will uphold him, my elect, with him my soul is well-pleased. I have sent my Spirit upon him. He will offer judgment to the nations2He will not cry out, and he will not show favoritism to anyone; neither will his voice be heard abroad3The bruised reed he will not break, and the smoldering wick he will not extinguish. He will lead forth judgment unto truth4He will not be saddened or troubled, until he establishes judgment on earth. And the islands will await his law6I, the Lord, have called you in justice, and I have taken your hand and preserved you. And I have presented you as a covenant of the people, as a light to the Gentiles7so that you may open the eyes of the blind, and lead out the prisoner from confinement and those sitting in darkness from the house of incarceration
Acts
34Then, Peter, opening his mouth, said: "I have concluded in truth that God is not a respecter of persons35But within every nation, whoever fears him and works justice is acceptable to him36God sent the Word to the sons of Israel, announcing the peace through Jesus Christ, for he is the Lord of all37You know that the Word has been made known throughout all Judea. For beginning from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached38Jesus of Nazareth, whom God anointed with the Holy Spirit and with power, traveled around doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil. For God was with him
Matthew
13Then Jesus came from Galilee, to John at the Jordan, in order to be baptized by him14But John refused him, saying, "I ought to be baptized by you, and yet you come to me?15And responding, Jesus said to him: "Permit this for now. For in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all justice." Then he allowed him16And Jesus, having been baptized, ascended from the water immediately, and behold, the heavens were opened to him. And he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and alighting on him17And behold, there was a voice from heaven, saying: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of justice, equality, and the universal call to holiness. In the first reading from Isaiah, we encounter a prophecy about God’s servant, who will bring light and justice to the world. This servant is not one who will break the bruised reed or extinguish the smoldering wick; instead, he will lead with gentleness and compassion, ensuring that even the most vulnerable are not overlooked. This passage sets the stage for understanding Jesus as the fulfillment of this prophecy, the one who embodies God’s justice and mercy.
In the second reading from Acts, Peter proclaims that God does not show favoritism, and that anyone who fears God and works justice is acceptable to him. This is a powerful reminder of the universality of God’s love and the call to live a life of integrity and compassion. Peter’s words echo the message of Isaiah, emphasizing that God’s plan of salvation is not limited to a chosen few but is open to all people. This reading challenges us to examine our own biases and prejudices, urging us to see everyone through the lens of God’s love.
The Gospel reading from Matthew recounts the baptism of Jesus, a moment that reveals the profound unity of the Trinity. As Jesus emerges from the water, the heavens open, the Spirit descends like a dove, and the Father’s voice affirms Jesus as his beloved Son. This scene is not just a moment of revelation for Jesus but also for us. It reminds us that our baptism is a call to live as beloved children of God, to embrace our mission to bring light and justice to the world, and to do so with humility and compassion. Just as Jesus fulfilled all justice by being baptized, we too are called to fulfill our own calling by living lives of integrity, love, and service.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: How do we embody the justice and mercy of God in our daily lives? How do we ensure that we do not overlook the vulnerable or exclude those who may seem different from us? Let us remember that we are all called to be lights in the darkness, bringing hope and healing to a world in need. May we, like Jesus, fulfill our mission with humility and love, trusting in the power of the Holy Spirit to guide us.