Daily Readings - Thu Dec 07 2017
Isaiah
1In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: "We have a strong city; he sets up salvation as walls and bulwarks.2Open the gates, that the righteous nation that keeps faith may enter in.3You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.4Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.5For he has humbled the inhabitants of the height, the lofty city. He lays it low, lays it low to the ground, casts it to the dust.6The foot tramples it, the feet of the poor, the steps of the needy."
Matthew
21"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.24"Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.25And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.26And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.27And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it."
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful messages about trust, justice, and the importance of living out our faith. The first reading from Isaiah paints a vivid picture of a secure future for those who trust in God, where justice prevails and the oppressed are lifted up. The prophet describes a city of strength, Zion, where the gates of truth and justice are open to all. This vision is not just a distant hope but a call to trust in God’s providence, especially in uncertain times. Isaiah reminds us that true peace comes from hoping in God and doing His will, which leads to a life of stability and security.
In the Gospel, Jesus emphasizes the importance of putting faith into action. He teaches that merely calling Him “Lord” is not enough; true discipleship requires doing the will of the Father. Jesus illustrates this with the parable of the two builders—one wise and one foolish. The wise builder, who hears Jesus’ words and acts on them, constructs his house on a rock, symbolizing a life grounded in faith and obedience. This house withstands the storms of life, representing the challenges and temptations we all face. On the other hand, the foolish builder, who hears but does not act, builds on sand, leading to ruin when the storms come. Jesus is clear: a life of faith is one that is lived out in action, not just in words.
These readings remind us that our faith must be rooted in trust and lived out in concrete actions. Like the wise builder, we are called to build our lives on the solid foundation of God’s Word. This means not only listening to His teachings but also putting them into practice in our daily lives. As Isaiah suggests, this leads to a life of peace and justice, where the poor and the marginalized are uplifted. In a world filled with uncertainty, let us turn to God with trust, and let us build our lives on the rock of His truth. May our actions reflect our faith, and may we be instruments of His justice and peace in the world.