Daily Readings - Mon Jun 24 2024

¹Pay attention, you islands, and listen closely, you far away peoples. The Lord has called me from the womb; from the womb of my mother, he has been mindful of my name²And he has appointed my mouth as a sharp sword. In the shadow of his hand, he has protected me. And he has appointed me as an elect arrow. In his quiver, he has hidden me³And he has said to me: "You are my servant, Israel. For in you, I will glory.⁴And I said: "I have labored toward emptiness. I have consumed my strength without purpose and in vain. Therefore, my judgment is with the Lord, and my work is with my God.⁵And now, says the Lord, who formed me from the womb as his servant, so that I may bring back Jacob to him, for Israel will not be gathered together, but I have been glorified in the eyes of the Lord and my God has become my strength⁶and so he has said: "It is a small thing that you should be my servant so as to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and so as to convert the dregs of Israel. Behold, I have offered you as a light for the Gentiles, so that you may be my salvation, even to the furthest regions of the earth.

Acts

Chapter 13

²²And having removed him, he raised up for them king David. And offering testimony about him, he said, ‘I have found David, the son of Jesse, to be a man according to my own heart, who will accomplish all that I will.²³From his offspring, according to the Promise, God has brought Jesus the Savior to Israel²⁴John was preaching, before the face of his advent, a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel²⁵Then, when John completed his course, he was saying: ‘I am not the one you consider me to be. For behold, one arrives after me, the shoes of whose feet I am not worthy to loosen.²⁶Noble brothers, sons of the stock of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, it is to you the Word of this salvation has been sent

Luke

Chapter 1

⁵⁷Now the time for Elizabeth to give birth arrived, and she brought forth a son⁵⁸And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy with her, and so they congratulated her⁵⁹And it happened that, on the eighth day, they arrived to circumcise the boy, and they called him by his father’s name, Zechariah⁶⁰And in response, his mother said: "Not so. Instead, he shall be called John.⁶¹And they said to her, "But there is no one among your relatives who is called by that name.⁶²Then they made signs to his father, as to what he wanted him to be called⁶³And requesting a writing tablet, he wrote, saying: "His name is John." And they all wondered⁶⁴Then, at once, his mouth was opened, and his tongue loosened, and he spoke, blessing God⁶⁵And fear fell upon all of their neighbors. And all these words were made known throughout all the hill country of Judea⁶⁶And all those who heard it stored it up in their heart, saying: "What do you think this boy will be?" And indeed, the hand of the Lord was with him⁸⁰And the child grew, and he was strengthened in spirit. And he was in the wilderness, until the day of his manifestation to Israel

Sermon

In today's readings, we encounter three distinct yet interconnected narratives that illuminate the theme of divine calling and mission. The first reading from Isaiah introduces us to a prophet who, from the womb, is called to be a light to the Gentiles. Despite initial doubts, he finds strength in God's assurance, recognizing his role in a larger plan. The second reading from Acts, spoken by Paul, bridges the Old Testament prophecy with the New Testament reality. Paul highlights King David and the lineage of Jesus, emphasizing John the Baptist's role as a precursor to the Messiah. The Gospel from Luke vividly portrays the birth of John the Baptist, where his naming signifies his unique mission, and his growth in the wilderness prepares him for his divine role. These readings weave together the tapestry of God's plan, revealing a progression from prophecy to fulfillment. Isaiah's servant becomes the light to the nations, John the Baptist prepares the way, and Jesus embodies the salvation. Each figure humbly accepts their calling, trusting in God's plan despite uncertainties. Their stories remind us that our lives are part of a larger narrative, where our unique callings contribute to God's greater purpose. In our daily lives, we are invited to reflect on our own callings. Like Isaiah, we may doubt our abilities, but God's assurance can strengthen us. Like John, we may face unexpected paths, yet our trust in God's plan can guide us. As we navigate our own missions, whether in family, work, or community, we are reminded to stay open to God's voice and trust in His timing. Let us embrace our roles with humility and courage, knowing that our efforts, however small they may seem, are part of a grander divine plan. In doing so, we become lights in the world, reflecting God's love and grace to all.