Daily Readings - Fri Dec 03 2021
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 messages of hope, healing, and the transformative power of faith. The passage from Isaiah envisions a future where the oppressed and afflicted are restored, and the blind, both physically and spiritually, receive sight. This prophecy speaks to a time of redemption where God’s justice prevails, and His people are sanctified. The Gospel from Matthew illustrates this transformation through the healing of two blind men who, with unwavering faith, cry out to Jesus for mercy. Their trust is rewarded as Jesus restores their sight, embodying the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy in His ministry.
Both readings emphasize the context of hope amidst adversity. Isaiah’s message was to a struggling Israel, promising renewal and justice, while Matthew’s narrative highlights Jesus as the Messiah who brings light and healing. The connection between the two lies in their focus on faith and trust in God’s plan. The blind men’s persistence and belief in Jesus mirror the faith required for spiritual healing and understanding, as foretold by Isaiah.
In our daily lives, these readings remind us to trust in God’s transformative power, even in darkness. Like the blind men, we must approach God with faith, knowing He can heal and restore us. Additionally, we are called to share the Good News, spreading the light of Christ’s message, just as the healed men did. The moral lesson here is one of hope and evangelization, urging us to have faith in God’s plan and to share His love with others, bringing light into a world that often feels dark.