Daily Readings - Sun Dec 17 2017
Isaiah
1The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;2to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn;10I will greatly rejoice in the LORD; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.11For as the earth brings forth its sprouts, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to sprout up, so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to sprout up before all the nations.
1 Thessalonians
16Rejoice always,17pray without ceasing,18give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.19Do not quench the Spirit.20Do not despise prophecies,21but test everything; hold fast what is good.22Abstain from every form of evil.23Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.24He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.
John
6There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.7He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him.8He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.19And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?"20He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, "I am not the Christ."21And they asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not.Are you the Prophet?" And he answered, "No."22So they said to him, "Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?"23He said, "I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way of the Lord,' as the prophet Isaiah said."24(Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.)25They asked him, "Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?"26John answered them, "I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know,27even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie."28These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful messages of hope, joy, and witness. The first reading from Isaiah describes a figure anointed by the Spirit to bring good news to the oppressed and heal the brokenhearted. This figure is clothed in salvation and justice, symbolizing the joy and celebration of God's redemption. The second reading from Thessalonians encourages believers to rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in every circumstance, trusting in God's faithfulness. The Gospel presents John the Baptist, who humbly testifies to the Light, preparing the way for the Messiah and baptizing with water, while acknowledging the greater one who is to come.
These readings are set against the backdrop of hope and preparation. Isaiah's prophecy likely occurs during a period of exile or oppression, offering comfort to those awaiting deliverance. Thessalonians addresses early Christians, urging them to maintain a joyful and thankful spirit amidst challenges. John the Baptist's testimony in the Gospel clarifies his role as a precursor to Jesus, emphasizing his humility and focus on the true Messiah. Together, these readings form a narrative arc from the promise of salvation in Isaiah, through the preparatory role of John the Baptist, to the exhortation to live joyfully in the Spirit.
In our daily lives, these readings inspire us to embrace joy and hope, trusting in God's faithfulness. Like John the Baptist, we are called to be witnesses, pointing others to Christ. Our lives should reflect the salvation we have received, living with gratitude and prayer. The moral lesson is clear: we are to live with joy, hope, and trust, preparing the way for others to encounter Christ, just as John did. Let us strive to embody this message, allowing God's love and redemption to shine through us.