Daily Readings - Wed Nov 30 2022
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
In today’s readings, we are reminded of the power of faith and the call to follow Christ. The first reading from Romans emphasizes that salvation comes through confessing Jesus as Lord and believing in His resurrection. Paul highlights that faith is not limited to any particular group but is universal, available to all who hear and respond to the Word of God. He also underscores the importance of preaching and hearing the Gospel, for it is through this that faith is born. The Gospel from Matthew illustrates this beautifully as Jesus calls His first disciples—Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John. Without hesitation, they leave their nets and their livelihoods behind to follow Him, demonstrating a radical trust in His call.
The connection between the readings lies in the theme of hearing and responding to God’s Word. In Romans, Paul explains that faith comes from hearing, and in Matthew, the disciples hear Jesus’ call and act immediately. This highlights the importance of being attentive to God’s voice and being willing to take steps of faith, even when it requires sacrifice. The disciples’ prompt response shows that true discipleship involves surrender and trust, not just intellectual assent.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: Am I truly listening to God’s Word in my life? Am I willing to respond with the same courage and trust as the disciples? Following Christ may not always be easy, but it is in surrendering our plans and desires to Him that we find true purpose and fulfillment. Let us pray for the grace to hear His voice clearly and to follow Him without hesitation, trusting that He will guide us to a life of abundant joy and service.