Daily Readings - Sun Aug 02 2020
Isaiah
1All you who thirst, come to the waters. And you who have no money: hurry, buy and eat. Approach, buy wine and milk, without money and without barter2Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and expend your labor for what does not satisfy? Listen very closely to me, and eat what is good, and then your soul will be delighted by a full measure3Incline your ear and draw near to me. Listen, and your soul will live. And I will make an everlasting covenant with you, by the faithful mercies of David
Romans
35Then who will separate us from the love of Christ? Tribulation? Or anguish? Or famine? Or nakedness? Or peril? Or persecution? Or the sword37But in all these things we overcome, because of him who has loved us38For I am certain that neither death, nor life, nor Angels, nor Principalities, nor Powers, nor the present things, nor the future things, nor strength39nor the heights, nor the depths, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord
Matthew
13When Jesus had heard it, he withdrew from there by boat, to a deserted place by himself. And when the crowds had heard of it, they followed him on foot from the cities14And going out, he saw a great multitude, and he took pity on them, and he cured their sick15And when evening had arrived, his disciples approached him, saying: "This is a deserted place, and the hour has now passed. Dismiss the crowds, so that, by going into the towns, they may buy food for themselves.16But Jesus said to them: "They have no need to go. Give them something to eat yourselves.17They answered him, "We have nothing here, except five loaves and two fish.18He said to them, "Bring them here to me.19And when he had ordered the multitude to sit down upon the grass, he took the five loaves and the two fish, and gazing up to heaven, he blessed and broke and gave the bread to the disciples, and then the disciples to the multitudes20And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up the remnants: twelve baskets full of fragments21Now the number of those who ate was five thousand men, besides women and children
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter a profound narrative of God's boundless love and provision. The First Reading from Isaiah invites us to seek spiritual nourishment, urging us to turn to God who offers abundance without cost. The Second Reading from Romans reassures us that no trial can separate us from God's love, highlighting an unbreakable bond. The Gospel presents Jesus feeding the 5000, a miracle that exemplifies divine provision and generosity.
Each reading, though from different contexts, weaves a tapestry of God's care. Isaiah, speaking to exiles, offers hope in spiritual renewal. Paul, in his letter, strengthens the faithful amidst persecution. Matthew's account of the feeding miracle shows Jesus addressing physical needs, demonstrating that God's love encompasses both body and soul. Together, they remind us of God's faithfulness in all aspects of life.
In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to trust in God's providence, especially in times of scarcity or uncertainty. Just as the disciples shared the little they had, we are called to generosity, trusting that our resources, however meager, can be multiplied. Let us remember that God's love endures through all trials, nurturing both our spirits and our lives. May we embrace this love and share it abundantly with others.