Daily Readings - Wed Dec 15 2021
Isaiah
6So may those who are from the rising of the sun, and those who are from its setting, know that there is no one beside me. I am the Lord, and there is no other7I form the light and create the darkness. I make peace and create disaster. I, the Lord, do all these things8Send down dew from above, O heavens, and let the clouds rain down upon the just! Let the earth open and spring forth a savior! And let justice rise up at once! I, the Lord, have created him18For thus says the Lord, who created the heavens, God himself who formed the earth and made it, the very Molder of it. He did not create it to no purpose. He formed it so that it would be inhabited. I am the Lord, and there is no other21Announce it, and approach, and consult together. Who has caused this to be heard from the beginning, and who has foretold it from that time? Is it not I, the Lord? And is there some other god beside me? I am a just God who saves, and there is no one except me22All ends of the earth, be converted to me, and you will be saved. For I am God, and there is no other23I have sworn by myself. The Word of justice will proceed from my mouth, and it will not turn back. For every knee shall bend to me, and every tongue shall swear it.24Therefore, he will say, "In the Lord are my justices and my dominion." They will go to him. And all who fight against him will be confounded25In the Lord, all the offspring of Israel will be justified and praised
Luke
19And John called two of his disciples, and he sent them to Jesus, saying, "Are you he who is to come, or should we wait for another?20But when the men had come to him, they said: "John the Baptist has sent us to you, saying: ‘Are you he who is to come, or should we wait for another?’ 21Now in that same hour, he cured many of their diseases and wounds and evil spirits; and to many of the blind, he gave sight22And responding, he said to them: "Go and report to John what you have heard and seen: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead rise again, the poor are evangelized23And blessed is anyone who has not taken offense at me.
Sermon
In today's readings, we journey from the Old Testament's declaration of God's sovereignty to the New Testament's fulfillment of His plan in Jesus Christ. The prophet Isaiah proclaims God's uniqueness and omnipotence, emphasizing that He alone is the creator and savior, calling all to turn to Him for salvation. This declaration is a reminder to Israel, amidst their trials, of God's enduring plan and power.
In the Gospel of Luke, we find John the Baptist, uncertain and doubting Jesus' identity as the Messiah. Jesus responds not with words of reassurance but through actions—miracles that demonstrate His divine authority. He heals the sick, restores sight to the blind, and preaches to the poor, fulfilling the prophecies of Isaiah. Jesus' response is an invitation to trust in God's plan, even when clarity is elusive.
These readings encourage us to embrace faith amidst uncertainty. Just as John faced doubt, we too may question God's presence in our lives. Yet, the readings remind us to seek signs of God's work around us and to trust in His unfolding plan. Let us recognize God's sovereignty and find comfort in knowing His plan is always at work, even when we cannot fully see it. May we trust in His divine plan and remain open to His work in our lives.