Daily Readings - Sun Aug 24 2025

¹⁸But I know their works and their thoughts. I am arriving, so that I may gather them together with all nations and languages. And they will approach, and they will see my glory¹⁹And I will set a sign among them. And I will send some of those who will have been saved to the Gentiles in the sea, to Africa, and to those who draw the bow in Lydia, to Italy and Greece, to islands far away, to those who have not heard of me, and to those who have not seen my glory. And they will announce my glory to the Gentiles²⁰And they will lead all of your brothers from all of the Gentiles as a gift to the Lord, on horses, and in four-horse chariots, and on stretchers, and on mules, and in coaches, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, says the Lord, in the same manner that the sons of Israel would carry an offering in a pure vessel into the house of the Lord²¹And I will take from them to be priests and Levites, says the Lord

Hebrews

Chapter 12

⁵And you have forgotten the consolation which speaks to you like sons, saying: "My son, do not be willing to neglect the discipline of the Lord. Neither should you become weary, while being rebuked by him.⁶For whomever the Lord loves, he chastises. And every son whom he accepts, he scourges⁷Persevere in discipline. God presents you to himself as sons. But what son is there, whom his father does not correct¹¹Now every discipline, in the present time, does not seem a gladness, of course, but a grief. But afterwards, it will repay a most peaceful fruit of justice to those who become trained in it¹²Because of this, lift up your lazy hands and your lax knees¹³and straighten the path of your feet, so that no one, being lame, may wander astray, but instead may be healed

Luke

Chapter 13

²²And he was traveling through the cities and towns, teaching and making his way to Jerusalem²³And someone said to him, "Lord, are they few who are saved?" But he said to them²⁴"Strive to enter through the narrow gate. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and not be able²⁵Then, when the father of the family will have entered and shut the door, you will begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us.’ And in response, he will say to you, ‘I do not know where you are from.²⁶Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.²⁷And he will say to you: ‘I do not know where you are from. Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity!²⁸In that place, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, yet you yourselves are expelled outside²⁹And they will arrive from the East, and the West, and the North, and the South; and they will recline at table in the kingdom of God³⁰And behold, those who are last will be first, and those who are first will be last.

Sermon

The readings today invite us to reflect on God’s universal call to salvation and the importance of living a life of faith, discipline, and perseverance. In the first reading from Isaiah, we hear of God’s plan to gather all nations and languages, sending forth those who have been saved to proclaim His glory to the ends of the earth. This passage emphasizes God’s desire to include everyone in His kingdom, highlighting the universal nature of salvation. It also reminds us that we, as believers, are called to be instruments of God’s grace, sharing His glory with others. The second reading from Hebrews provides a complementary message about the role of discipline in the Christian life. The author reminds us that God’s correction is a sign of His love, just as a father disciplines his children. While discipline may be uncomfortable in the moment, it ultimately leads to peace and justice. This teaching challenges us to embrace trials and difficulties as opportunities for growth, trusting that God is shaping us into the people He calls us to be. In the Gospel, Jesus emphasizes the urgency of entering through the narrow gate, warning that many will seek to enter the kingdom but will not be able. This passage is not meant to instill fear but to encourage us to examine our lives and ensure that we are living in accordance with God’s will. It reminds us that mere familiarity with God is not enough; we must actively strive to follow Him and live out our faith. The image of people coming from all directions to recline at table in the kingdom of God aligns with Isaiah’s vision of a universal gathering, reinforcing the idea that God’s salvation is for all people. These readings call us to live with purpose and intentionality. We are to embrace the discipline of faith, trusting that God’s correction and guidance are for our good. At the same time, we are to share God’s glory with others, recognizing that His kingdom is open to all. Let us strive to enter through the narrow gate, living lives of love, perseverance, and fidelity to God’s will. In doing so, we become part of the great gathering of all nations in God’s holy mountain, where we will feast together in His presence.