Daily Readings - Sat Jun 08 2024
Isaiah
9And they will know their offspring among the nations, and their progeny in the midst of the peoples. All who see them will recognize them: that these are the offspring whom the Lord has blessed10I will rejoice greatly in the Lord, and my soul will exult in my God. For he has clothed me with the vestments of salvation, and he has wrapped me in the clothing of justice, like a groom arrayed with a crown, and like a bride adorned with her jewels11For as the earth brings forth its seedlings and the garden produces its seeds, so will the Lord God bring forth justice and praise in the sight of all the nations
Luke
41And his parents went every year to Jerusalem, at the time of the solemnity of Passover42And when he had become twelve years old, they ascended to Jerusalem, according to the custom of the feast day43And having completed the days, when they returned, the boy Jesus remained in Jerusalem. And his parents did not realize this44But, supposing that he was in the company, they went a day’s journey, seeking him among their relatives and acquaintances45And not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him46And it happened that, after three days, they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, listening to them and questioning them47But all who listened to him were astonished over his prudence and his responses48And upon seeing him, they wondered. And his mother said to him: "Son, why have you acted this way toward us? Behold, your father and I were seeking you in sorrow.49And he said to them: "How is it that you were seeking me? For did you not know that it is necessary for me to be in these things which are of my Father?50And they did not understand the word that he spoke to them51And he descended with them and went to Nazareth. And he was subordinate to them. And his mother kept all these words in her heart
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of divine calling and faithful response. In the first reading from Isaiah, we hear a prophetic message of hope and joy, where the people of God are clothed in the garments of salvation and justice. This passage is part of a larger section in Isaiah often associated with the Messiah, emphasizing the restoration and blessings that God will bestow upon his people. The imagery of the bride and groom, along with the fertile earth producing its seedlings, underscores the fruitful and joyful nature of God’s work among his people.
In the Gospel, we encounter the story of the young Jesus in the temple. This narrative is a pivotal moment in Luke’s account, highlighting Jesus’ early awareness of his divine mission. While his parents initially fail to understand his actions, Mary’s question and Jesus’ response reveal the deeper spiritual reality at play. Jesus’ statement about being in his Father’s house points to his unique relationship with God and his mission to fulfill the Father’s will. The fact that Mary keeps these words in her heart suggests a growing understanding and acceptance of the mysterious plan unfolding before her.
These readings remind us that our lives are part of a larger divine plan. Like the young Jesus, we are called to discern and fulfill our mission, trusting in God’s providence even when the path is unclear. As we go about our daily lives, may we remain attentive to God’s voice, nurtured by prayer and reflection, and faithful in living out our calling. Let us, like Mary, keep the words of God in our hearts, allowing them to guide us in times of joy and uncertainty alike.