Daily Readings - Fri Dec 04 2020
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 themes of hope, healing, and the transformative power of faith. The first reading from Isaiah paints a vivid picture of a future where the marginalized and oppressed are uplifted, and the blind, both physically and spiritually, gain sight. Isaiah speaks to a people in exile, offering them a vision of redemption and restoration. He assures them that God’s plan is unfolding, even in the midst of darkness, and that one day the meek will rejoice and the poor will exult in the Holy One of Israel. This passage reminds us that God’s justice and mercy are always at work, even when they seem distant.
The Gospel reading from Matthew brings this vision of restoration to life in a concrete way. Jesus, the Son of David, encounters two blind men who cry out for his mercy. When he asks them if they trust in his ability to heal, they respond with unwavering faith, “Certainly, Lord.” Their trust is rewarded as Jesus touches their eyes, restoring their sight. Yet, despite his instruction to keep the miracle quiet, the men spread the news far and wide. This story highlights the connection between faith and healing, as well as the irresistible urge to share the Good News with others.
These readings remind us that faith is not just about believing in something we cannot see; it is about trusting in God’s plan, even when the path ahead is unclear. Like the blind men, we are called to approach God with humility and trust, knowing that he desires to bring light and healing into our lives. At the same time, we are reminded that once we have experienced God’s grace, we cannot keep it to ourselves. We are called to share the joy and hope we have found with others, even when it may seem inconvenient or challenging. Let us ask for the grace to trust in God’s plan and to be bold in sharing his love with a world in need.