Daily Catholic Mass Readings for November 29, 2021
First Reading: Isaiah 2.1-5
1The word that Isaiah, the son of Amoz, saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem2And in the last days, the mountain of the house of the Lord will be prepared at the summit of the mountains, and it will be exalted above the hills, and all the nations shall flow to it3And many peoples will go, and they will say: "Let us approach and ascend to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob. And he will teach us his ways, and we will walk in his paths." For the law will go forth from Zion, and the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem4And he will judge the nations, and he will rebuke many peoples. And they shall forge their swords into plowshares, and their spears into sickles. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, neither will they continue to train for battle5O house of Jacob, let us approach and walk in the light of the Lord
Psalm 122
1A Canticle in steps. I rejoiced in the things that were said to me: "We shall go into the house of the Lord.2Our feet were standing in your courts, O Jerusalem3Jerusalem has been built as a city, whose participation is unto itself4For to that place, the tribes ascended, the tribes of the Lord: the testimony of Israel, to confess to the name of the Lord5For in that place, seats have sat down in judgment, seats above the house of David6Petition for the things that are for the peace of Jerusalem, and for abundance for those who love you7Let peace be in your virtue, and abundance in your towers8For the sake of my brothers and my neighbors, I spoke peace about you9For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I sought good things for you
Gospel: Matthew 8.5-11, 13
5And when he had entered into Capernaum, a centurion approached, petitioning him6and saying, "Lord, my servant lies at home paralyzed and badly tormented.7And Jesus said to him, "I will come and heal him.8And responding, the centurion said: "Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant shall be healed9For I, too, am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.10And, hearing this, Jesus wondered. And he said to those following him: "Amen I say to you, I have not found so great a faith in Israel11For I say to you, that many shall come from the east and the west, and they shall sit at table with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven13And Jesus said to the centurion, "Go, and just as you have believed, so let it be done for you." And the servant was healed at that very hour
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the power of faith and the universal call to peace and unity. In the first reading, Isaiah paints a vision of a future where all nations stream to the mountain of the Lord, seeking his ways and walking in his paths. This is a time when swords are beaten into plowshares and war is no more. It is a vision of peace, harmony, and unity among all peoples. Isaiah speaks these words to a Judah facing political turmoil and the threat of foreign invasion, offering hope that God’s plan for humanity is one of ultimate peace and reconciliation. The reading reminds us that God’s ways are not limited to one people or place but are meant for all nations.
In the Gospel, we encounter a Roman centurion, a man of authority and power, who humbles himself before Jesus. Despite his status, he recognizes his unworthiness and trusts completely in Jesus’ power to heal his servant. His faith is remarkable because he understands the chain of command and believes that Jesus’ word alone is sufficient to bring healing. Jesus, in turn, praises the centurion’s faith and grants the healing. This story highlights the universality of God’s grace and the importance of humility and trust in our relationship with God. Like the centurion, we are called to approach God with faith, recognizing our limitations and relying on his providence.
These readings are connected by the theme of faith and trust in God’s plan. Isaiah’s vision of universal peace is fulfilled in part through the healing power of Jesus, who extends his grace to all people, regardless of their background. For us today, these readings invite us to trust in God’s plan for our lives and for the world. Like the centurion, we may face challenges and uncertainties, but we can approach God with humility and faith, knowing that his word has the power to bring healing and transformation. Let us strive to live as instruments of peace and to share the universal message of God’s love with all people.