Daily Readings - Thu Nov 30 2017
Romans
9because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.10For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.11For the Scripture says, "Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame."12For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him.13For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."14But how are they to call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?15And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!"16But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?"17So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.18But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have, for "Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world."
Matthew
18While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.19And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."20Immediately they left their nets and followed him.21And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them.22Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
Sermon
The readings today remind us of the fundamental call to faith and the universal mission of spreading the Gospel. In the first reading from Romans, St. Paul emphasizes that salvation comes through confessing Jesus as Lord and believing in the resurrection. He underscores the importance of hearing the Word of God, for faith comes through hearing, and hearing comes through the preaching of Christ. Paul also highlights the unity of all people before God, regardless of background, for the same Lord is rich in mercy to all who call upon him. This passage serves as a powerful reminder of the necessity of sharing the Good News, for how can people believe if they have not heard, and how can they hear if no one preaches?
The Gospel from Matthew illustrates this call to mission through the story of the first disciples. Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, calls Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John. These ordinary fishermen, engaged in their daily work, immediately leave everything behind to follow him. Their response is swift and total, trusting in the Lord’s promise to make them “fishers of men.” This scene highlights the radical nature of discipleship, which requires letting go of worldly attachments and trusting in God’s plan. Just as the apostles were called to spread the Gospel, we too are called to share Christ’s message in our own lives.
These readings challenge us to reflect on our own response to God’s call. Like the apostles, we are invited to trust in the Lord’s promise and step out in faith, even when it requires sacrifice. St. Paul’s words remind us that faith is not just a personal relationship but also a call to evangelize. In our daily lives, we can apply this by being open to sharing the Gospel with others, whether through our words or our actions. Let us ask ourselves: Am I truly living as a disciple of Christ? Am I willing to let go of my own “nets” and follow him wherever he leads? May we, like the apostles, respond with courage and generosity to the call to follow Jesus and to spread his message of love and salvation to the world.