Daily Catholic Mass Readings for December 2, 2024
First Reading: Isaiah 2.1-5
1The word that Isaiah, the son of Amoz, saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem2And in the last days, the mountain of the house of the Lord will be prepared at the summit of the mountains, and it will be exalted above the hills, and all the nations shall flow to it3And many peoples will go, and they will say: "Let us approach and ascend to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob. And he will teach us his ways, and we will walk in his paths." For the law will go forth from Zion, and the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem4And he will judge the nations, and he will rebuke many peoples. And they shall forge their swords into plowshares, and their spears into sickles. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, neither will they continue to train for battle5O house of Jacob, let us approach and walk in the light of the Lord
Psalm 122
1A Canticle in steps. I rejoiced in the things that were said to me: "We shall go into the house of the Lord.2Our feet were standing in your courts, O Jerusalem3Jerusalem has been built as a city, whose participation is unto itself4For to that place, the tribes ascended, the tribes of the Lord: the testimony of Israel, to confess to the name of the Lord5For in that place, seats have sat down in judgment, seats above the house of David6Petition for the things that are for the peace of Jerusalem, and for abundance for those who love you7Let peace be in your virtue, and abundance in your towers8For the sake of my brothers and my neighbors, I spoke peace about you9For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I sought good things for you
Gospel: Matthew 8.5-11, 13
5And when he had entered into Capernaum, a centurion approached, petitioning him6and saying, "Lord, my servant lies at home paralyzed and badly tormented.7And Jesus said to him, "I will come and heal him.8And responding, the centurion said: "Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant shall be healed9For I, too, am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.10And, hearing this, Jesus wondered. And he said to those following him: "Amen I say to you, I have not found so great a faith in Israel11For I say to you, that many shall come from the east and the west, and they shall sit at table with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven13And Jesus said to the centurion, "Go, and just as you have believed, so let it be done for you." And the servant was healed at that very hour
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful visions of God's universal plan for humanity. The First Reading from Isaiah paints a serene picture of a future where all nations gather at the mountain of the Lord's house, seeking His ways and walking in His paths. This vision emphasizes a world where swords are turned into plowshares, symbolizing peace and unity under God's rule. It invites us to approach and walk in the light of the Lord, embracing His law and word.
The Gospel from Matthew shifts our focus to a specific moment of faith and humility. A Roman centurion, a Gentile, approaches Jesus with a request to heal his servant. Despite his position of authority, the centurion acknowledges his unworthiness and trusts in Jesus' power to heal with just a word. Jesus, moved by this remarkable faith, not only heals the servant but also uses the occasion to highlight that many from all directions will come to share in the kingdom of heaven. This story underscores that faith can emerge from unexpected places and that God's grace extends to all people.
Reflecting on these readings, we are reminded of the inclusive nature of God's plan. Isaiah's vision and the centurion's faith teach us to embrace humility and trust in God's universal love. In our daily lives, we should remain open to recognizing faith in others, regardless of their background, and seek to live in harmony, trusting in God's word and His promise of peace. Let us strive to walk in the light of the Lord, allowing His grace to transform us and our world.