Daily Catholic Mass Readings for December 7, 2023
First Reading: Isaiah 26.1-6
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
Psalm 118
1Alleluia. Confess to the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy is forever2Let Israel now say: For he is good, for his mercy is forever3Let the house of Aaron now say: For his mercy is forever4Let those who fear the Lord now say: For his mercy is forever5In my tribulation, I called upon the Lord. And the Lord heeded me with generosity6The Lord is my helper. I will not fear what man can do to me7The Lord is my helper. And I will look down upon my enemies8It is good to trust in the Lord, rather than to trust in man9It is good to hope in the Lord, rather than to hope in leaders10All the nations have surrounded me. And, in the name of the Lord, I have been avenged over them11Surrounding me, they closed in on me. And, in the name of the Lord, I have been avenged over them12They surrounded me like a swarm, and they burned like fire among the thorns. And, in the name of the Lord, I have been avenged over them13Having been pushed, I was overturned so as to fall. But the Lord took me up14The Lord is my strength and my praise. And he has become my salvation15A voice of exultation and salvation is in the tabernacles of the just16The right hand of the Lord has wrought virtue. The right hand of the Lord has exalted me. The right hand of the Lord has wrought virtue17I will not die, but I will live. And I will declare the works of the Lord18When chastising, the Lord chastised me. But he has not delivered me over to death19Open the gates of justice to me. I will enter them, and I will confess to the Lord20This is the gate of the Lord. The just will enter by it21I will confess to you because you have heard me. And you have become my salvation22The stone which the builders have rejected, this has become the head of the corner23By the Lord has this been done, and it is a wonder before our eyes24This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us exult and rejoice in it25O Lord, grant salvation to me. O Lord, grant good prosperity26Blessed is he who arrives in the name of the Lord. We have blessed you from the house of the Lord27The Lord is God, and he has enlightened us. Establish a solemn day amid a dense crowd, even to the horn of the altar28You are my God, and I will confess to you. You are my God, and I will exalt you. I will confess to you, for you have heeded me. And you have become my salvation29Confess to the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy is forever
Gospel: Matthew 7.21, 24-27
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.