Daily Readings - Tue Nov 30 2021
Romans
9For if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and if you believe in your heart that God has raised him up from the dead, you shall be saved10For with the heart, we believe unto justice; but with the mouth, confession is unto salvation11For Scripture says: "All those who believe in him shall not be confounded.12For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek. For the same Lord is over all, richly in all who call upon him13For all those who have called upon the name of the Lord shall be saved14Then in what way will those who have not believed in him call upon him? Or in what way will those who have not heard of him believe in him? And in what way will they hear of him without preaching15And truly, in what way will they preach, unless they have been sent, just as it has been written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who evangelize peace, of those who evangelize what is good!16But not all are obedient to the Gospel. For Isaiah says: "Lord, who has believed our report?17Therefore, faith is from hearing, and hearing is through the Word of Christ18But I say: Have they not heard? For certainly: "Their sound has gone forth throughout all the earth, and their words unto the limits of the whole world.
Matthew
18And Jesus, walking near the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea (for they were fishermen)19And he said to them: "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.20And at once, leaving behind their nets, they followed him21And continuing on from there, he saw another two brothers, James of Zebedee, and his brother John, in a ship with their father Zebedee, repairing their nets. And he called them22And immediately, leaving their nets and their father behind, they followed him
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the call to follow Jesus and the universal offer of salvation through faith. In Romans 10:9-18, St. Paul emphasizes that confessing Jesus as Lord and believing in His resurrection leads to salvation. He highlights that faith comes from hearing the Word of God, stressing the importance of spreading the Gospel to all people. The passage underscores that everyone, regardless of background, has the opportunity to be saved, and it is through hearing the Word that faith is kindled.
In Matthew 4:18-22, we witness Jesus calling the first disciples—Peter, Andrew, James, and John. These fishermen immediately leave their nets and follow Him, demonstrating a prompt and total response to His invitation. Their actions show trust and willingness to embark on a new journey with Jesus, leaving behind their familiar lives. This passage illustrates the transformative power of responding to God's call without hesitation.
These readings remind us that we, too, are called to follow Jesus. Like the disciples, we are invited to trust in God's plan and be open to His invitations in our lives. St. Paul's words encourage us to share the Gospel with others, recognizing that faith begins with hearing the Word. In our daily lives, we are called to respond courageously to God's call, whether it means making significant life changes or simply being open to His will. Let us embrace this call with faith and enthusiasm, trusting that God will guide us on our journey.