Daily Readings - Sat Feb 29 2020
Isaiah
9Then you will call, and the Lord will heed; you will cry out, and he will say, "Here I am," if you take away the chains from your midst, and cease to point your finger and to speak what is not beneficial10When you pour out your life for the hungry, and you satisfy the afflicted soul, then your light will rise up in darkness, and your darkness will be like the midday11And the Lord will give you rest continually, and he will fill your soul with splendor, and he will free your bones, and you will be like a watered garden and like a fountain of water whose waters will not fail12And places that have been desolate for ages will be built up by you. You will raise a foundation for generation after generation. And you will be called the repairer of hedges, who turns the roadways into quiet places13If you restrain your foot on the Sabbath, from doing your own will on my holy day, and if you call the Sabbath delightful, and the Holy of the Lord glorious, and if you glorify him, while you do not act according to your own ways, and your own will is not found, not even to speak a word14then you will find delight in the Lord, and I will take you up, above the heights of the earth, and I will nourish you with the inheritance of Jacob, your father. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken
Luke
27And after these things, he went out, and he saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the customs office. And he said to him, "Follow me.28And leaving behind everything, rising up, he followed him29And Levi made a great feast for him in his own house. And there was a large crowd of tax collectors and others, who were sitting at table with them30But the Pharisees and scribes were murmuring, saying to his disciples, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?31And responding, Jesus said to them: "It is not those who are well who need a doctor, but those who have maladies32I have not come to call the just, but sinners to repentance.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful messages about living out our faith through compassionate actions and inclusive communities. The first reading from Isaiah 58 emphasizes the true meaning of fasting and observing the Sabbath. Isaiah critiques hypocritical practices, urging the people to fast not just from food but from oppression and injustice. He calls them to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, and free the oppressed, promising that such actions will bring light and renewal. Observing the Sabbath is not just about rest but about glorifying God by not pursuing one's own interests, leading to spiritual nourishment and joy.
The Gospel from Luke 5 shifts our focus to Jesus' encounter with Levi, a tax collector, and His dining with sinners. This act shocks the Pharisees, who question Jesus' choice of company. Jesus responds by clarifying His mission: He has come not for the self-righteous but for those who recognize their need for repentance. This challenges the traditional religious boundaries, emphasizing that faith is about reaching out to those on the margins.
These readings connect through their emphasis on compassion and inclusivity. Isaiah highlights the need to care for the vulnerable, while Luke shows Jesus embracing those society rejects. Both challenge us to move beyond mere rituals to a faith that transforms lives. In our daily lives, this means reflecting on how our actions align with our faith, ensuring we serve others and embrace those different from us. The moral lesson is clear: true piety is about love and service, not just rituals. Let us strive to live out our faith by caring for others and welcoming all, just as Jesus did.