Daily Readings - Sat Jun 12 2021
Isaiah
9And they will know their offspring among the nations, and their progeny in the midst of the peoples. All who see them will recognize them: that these are the offspring whom the Lord has blessed10I will rejoice greatly in the Lord, and my soul will exult in my God. For he has clothed me with the vestments of salvation, and he has wrapped me in the clothing of justice, like a groom arrayed with a crown, and like a bride adorned with her jewels11For as the earth brings forth its seedlings and the garden produces its seeds, so will the Lord God bring forth justice and praise in the sight of all the nations
Luke
41And his parents went every year to Jerusalem, at the time of the solemnity of Passover42And when he had become twelve years old, they ascended to Jerusalem, according to the custom of the feast day43And having completed the days, when they returned, the boy Jesus remained in Jerusalem. And his parents did not realize this44But, supposing that he was in the company, they went a day’s journey, seeking him among their relatives and acquaintances45And not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him46And it happened that, after three days, they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, listening to them and questioning them47But all who listened to him were astonished over his prudence and his responses48And upon seeing him, they wondered. And his mother said to him: "Son, why have you acted this way toward us? Behold, your father and I were seeking you in sorrow.49And he said to them: "How is it that you were seeking me? For did you not know that it is necessary for me to be in these things which are of my Father?50And they did not understand the word that he spoke to them51And he descended with them and went to Nazareth. And he was subordinate to them. And his mother kept all these words in her heart
Sermon
The first reading from Isaiah paints a vivid picture of a people who have been blessed by God and who will be recognized among the nations for their offspring and progeny. The prophet describes a scene of rejoicing and exultation, where the people are clothed in the vestments of salvation and wrapped in the clothing of justice. This imagery speaks of a deep transformation, where God’s people are not only restored but also adorned with the beauty of His righteousness. The passage concludes with a promise that just as the earth brings forth its seedlings, so too will God bring forth justice and praise in the sight of all nations.
The Gospel reading from Luke tells the story of the young Jesus, who at the age of twelve, remains in the temple while His parents journey back home. This narrative highlights Jesus’ deep connection to His Father’s work, as He engages with the teachers in the temple, astonishing them with His understanding and responses. When Mary and Joseph finally find Him, Jesus’ response, “Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” reveals His singular focus on His divine mission. Despite their misunderstanding, Mary keeps these words in her heart, reflecting on the mystery of her Son’s identity and purpose.
Together, these readings invite us to reflect on our own relationship with God and His plan for our lives. Isaiah reminds us that we are called to be a people clothed in salvation and justice, bearing fruit in the sight of all. Luke’s account of the young Jesus challenges us to prioritize our relationship with God, even when it requires setting aside our own plans and expectations. Like Mary, we are called to trust in God’s providence and to keep His words in our hearts, allowing them to guide us in our daily lives. May we, like Jesus, remain faithful to our Father’s will, and may our lives bear witness to His justice and praise.