Daily Readings - Sun Jan 13 2019
Isaiah
1Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.2Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the LORD's hand double for all her sins.3A voice cries: "In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.4Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain.5And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken."9Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good news; lift it up, fear not; say to the cities of Judah, "Behold your God!"10Behold, the Lord GOD comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him.11He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.
Titus
11For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,12training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,13waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,14who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
4But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared,5he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,6whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,7so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Luke
15As the people were in expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Christ,16John answered them all, saying, "I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.21Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened,22and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of hope, preparation, and the transformative power of God’s grace. In the first reading from Isaiah, we hear a message of consolation and hope. The prophet speaks to a people in exile, offering them comfort and promising that their suffering will end. He calls them to prepare the way for the Lord, emphasizing that every valley will be exalted and every mountain will be made low. This is a call to humility and openness, reminding us that God’s glory will be revealed to all. Isaiah’s words are not just for his time but resonate with us today, urging us to clear the path in our hearts for the Lord’s presence.
The second reading from Titus builds on this theme of preparation but shifts the focus to the transformative power of God’s grace. St. Paul reminds us that God’s grace has appeared to all people, instructing us to reject sin and live lives marked by sobriety, justice, and piety. This is not about earning God’s favor through our works but about responding to the gift of salvation we have already received. Titus emphasizes that we are saved by God’s mercy, not by our own efforts, and that this mercy renews us through the Holy Spirit. This reading challenges us to live in a way that reflects the hope we have in Christ, trusting in his promise of eternal life.
In the Gospel, Luke presents us with the figure of John the Baptist, who humbly acknowledges that he is not the Messiah but merely a precursor. John’s baptism with water is a symbol of repentance, but he points to one greater than himself who will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. The scene of Jesus’ baptism is a profound moment of revelation. As Jesus prays, the heavens open, the Spirit descends like a dove, and the Father’s voice affirms Jesus as his beloved Son. This moment is not just about Jesus; it is about us. Through our own baptism, we are called to share in Christ’s mission and to live as beloved children of God, guided by the Holy Spirit.
These readings remind us that our lives are not about our own strength or achievements but about surrendering to God’s grace. Like Isaiah, we are called to prepare the way for the Lord in our hearts and in the world around us. Like John the Baptist, we are called to humility and to point others to Christ. And like Jesus, we are called to live in the power of the Holy Spirit, trusting in the Father’s love. May we allow God’s grace to transform us, that we might live as heirs of eternal life, always hopeful and always prepared to reveal his glory to the world.