Daily Readings - Tue Dec 07 2021
Isaiah
1"Be consoled, be consoled, O my people!" says your God2Speak to the heart of Jerusalem, and call out to her! For her malice has reached its end. Her iniquity has been forgiven. She has received double for all her sins from the hand of the Lord3The voice of one crying out in the desert: "Prepare the way of the Lord! Make straight the paths of our God, in a solitary place4Every valley will be exalted, and every mountain and hill will be brought low. And the crooked will be straightened, and the uneven will become level ways5And the glory of the Lord will be revealed. And all flesh together will see that the mouth of the Lord has spoken.6The voice of one saying, "Cry out!" And I said, "What should I cry out?" "All flesh is grass, and all its glory is like the flower of the field7The grass has dried up, and the flower has fallen. For the Spirit of the Lord has blown over it. Truly, the people are like grass8The grass has dried up, and the flower has fallen. But the Word of our Lord remains for eternity.9You who evangelize Zion, climb a high mountain! You who evangelize Jerusalem, lift up your voice with strength! Lift it up! Do not be afraid! Say to the cities of Judah: "Behold, your God!10Behold, the Lord God will arrive in strength, and his arm will rule. Behold, his reward is with him, and his work is before him11He will pasture his flock like a shepherd. He will gather together the lambs with his arm, and he will lift them up to his bosom, and he himself will carry the very young
Matthew
12How does it seem to you? If someone has one hundred sheep, and if one of them has gone astray, should he not leave behind the ninety-nine in the mountains, and go out to seek what has gone astray13And if he should happen to find it: Amen I say to you, that he has more joy over that one, than over the ninety-nine which did not go astray14Even so, it is not the will before your Father, who is in heaven, that one of these little ones should be lost
Sermon
In today's readings, we find a powerful message of hope and redemption. The first reading from Isaiah 40:1-11 offers comfort to God's people, urging them to prepare for the Lord's coming. It reminds us that human life is fleeting, like grass and flowers, but God's Word endures forever. The second reading from Matthew 18:12-14 uses the parable of the shepherd to illustrate God's deep care for each individual, emphasizing that it is not His will for any to be lost.
These readings are deeply connected, as Isaiah's prophecy of preparation and redemption is fulfilled in Jesus' ministry. Both highlight God's desire to seek out and save the lost, whether in exile or in everyday life. This connection reminds us that we are each valued by God, and He actively seeks our return when we stray.
In our daily lives, we can find comfort in knowing that God is always with us, especially in difficult times. We are called to trust in His enduring Word and to reach out to those around us who may feel lost or marginalized. Let us reflect on our own journeys and how we can embody God's care for others, just as the shepherd does. May we find strength in His promise and strive to bring others closer to Him.