Daily Readings - Thu Dec 07 2023
Isaiah
1In that day, this canticle will be sung in the land of Judah. Within it will be set the city of our strength: Zion, a savior, a wall with a bulwark2Open the gates, and let the just people who guard the truth enter3The old error has gone away. You will serve peace: peace, for we have hoped in you4You have trusted in the Lord for all eternity, in the Lord God almighty forever5For he will bend down those living in the heights. He will bring low the lofty city. He will lower it, even to the ground. He will tear it down, even to the dust6The foot will tread it down: the feet of the poor, the steps of the indigent
Matthew
21Not all who say to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the kingdom of heaven. But whoever does the will of my Father, who is in heaven, the same shall enter into the kingdom of heaven24Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and does them shall be compared to a wise man, who built his house upon the rock25And the rains descended, and the floods rose up, and the winds blew, and rushed upon that house, but it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock26And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them shall be like a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand27And the rains descended, and the floods rose up, and the winds blew, and rushed upon that house, and it did fall, and great was its ruin.
Sermon
The first reading from Isaiah paints a vivid picture of a secure and peaceful future for God’s people, where the city of Zion stands as a symbol of strength and refuge. The prophet emphasizes that this safety is not merely physical but deeply spiritual, rooted in trust and hope in the Lord. He reminds us that true peace comes from God and that our ultimate security lies in His providence. The passage also highlights the contrast between the lofty cities of human pride and the humble reliance of the poor and the marginalized, who will ultimately find their footing on the ruins of the arrogant.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches us about the essence of true discipleship. He makes it clear that merely calling Him “Lord” is not enough; what matters is living according to the will of the Father. Using the parable of the two builders, Jesus illustrates the importance of putting His words into practice. The wise builder, who constructs his house on rock, represents the one who hears and acts on God’s teachings. The foolish builder, who builds on sand, symbolizes those who hear but fail to live out their faith. Jesus warns us that without a firm foundation in His teachings, we risk spiritual ruin when the storms of life come.
These readings invite us to reflect on the foundation of our faith and how we live it out. Isaiah reminds us to trust in God’s providence and to hope in Him, while Jesus challenges us to move beyond mere words to actions that reflect our commitment to His will. In our daily lives, we are called to build our spiritual houses on the rock of God’s Word, not just by listening but by living it. This means being people of integrity, compassion, and service, rooted in the teachings of Christ. Let us ask ourselves: Is my faith a living, active force in my life, or is it merely a set of words? Let us strive to be wise builders, constructing our lives on the solid foundation of God’s love and truth.