Daily Readings - Sun Dec 01 2019
Isaiah
1The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.2It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be lifted up above the hills; and all the nations shall flow to it,3and many peoples shall come, and say: "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths." For out of Zion shall go the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.4He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.5O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD.
Romans
11Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.12The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.13Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy.14But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
Matthew
37As were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.38For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark,39and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.40Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left.41Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left.42Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.43But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into.44Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of readiness, peace, and living in accordance with God's will. In Isaiah, we are presented with a vision of a harmonious future where all nations gather at the mountain of the Lord, and warfare is transformed into agriculture, symbolizing peace. This vision is set against the backdrop of Judah and Jerusalem, offering hope for a messianic era. In Romans, Paul urges believers to awaken from spiritual slumber, emphasizing the nearness of salvation and the importance of living honorably, free from sin, and clothed in Christ. The Gospel from Matthew, part of the Olivet Discourse, highlights the unexpected nature of Christ's Second Coming, drawing parallels to the days of Noah and stressing the need for vigilance.
These readings are interconnected by the common thread of preparation and righteous living. Isaiah's vision inspires us to strive for a world where God's law prevails, bringing peace. Romans provides practical advice on moral living, encouraging us to shed sinful behaviors and embrace Christ. Matthew's passage underscores the urgency of being prepared for Christ's return, much like being vigilant against a thief. Together, they remind us that our spiritual readiness is paramount.
In our daily lives, this means embracing a life of purpose and virtue, avoiding complacency and sin. We are called to live with the awareness that Christ could return at any moment, prompting us to stay spiritually alert and committed to His teachings. The moral lesson here is clear: live righteously, remain vigilant, and trust in God's plan. By doing so, we not only prepare for the future but also contribute to a more peaceful and just world today.