Daily Readings - Mon Dec 02 2019
Isaiah
2In that day the branch of the LORD shall be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land shall be the pride and honor of the survivors of Israel.3And he who is left in Zion and remains in Jerusalem will be called holy, everyone who has been recorded for life in Jerusalem,4when the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion and cleansed the bloodstains of Jerusalem from its midst by a spirit of judgment and by a spirit of burning.5Then the LORD will create over the whole site of Mount Zion and over her assemblies a cloud by day, and smoke and the shining of a flaming fire by night; for over all the glory there will be a canopy.6There will be a booth for shade by day from the heat, and for a refuge and a shelter from the storm and rain.
Matthew
5When he entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him,6"Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly."7And he said to him, "I will come and heal him."8But the centurion replied, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed.9For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes, and to another, 'Come,' and he comes, and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."10When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, "Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith.11I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven,13And to the centurion Jesus said, "Go; let it be done for you as you have believed." And the servant was healed at that very moment.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful visions of God's presence and promise. The first, from Isaiah, paints a vivid picture of a restored Zion, where God's people are purified and protected under a divine tabernacle. This passage, written during a time of turmoil, offers hope for a future where God's glory will shine forth, and His people will find refuge and joy. The tabernacle symbolizes God's enduring presence and protection, a sanctuary from life's storms.
The Gospel from Matthew shifts our focus to the present, as Jesus encounters a centurion whose servant is ill. The centurion's remarkable faith—recognizing Jesus' authority and humility—leads to a miraculous healing. This story highlights the universality of God's kingdom, where even those outside the Jewish community can find inclusion through faith. Jesus' response underscores that faith transcends boundaries, inviting many from all directions to partake in the heavenly feast.
These readings remind us that faith is our gateway to God's grace and healing. Like the centurion, we are called to trust in God's plan, even when circumstances seem uncertain. The tabernacle in Isaiah and Jesus' presence in Matthew both symbolize God's abiding refuge. In our daily lives, we can find strength in this assurance, knowing that through faith, we are part of a kingdom that embraces all people. Let us, therefore, approach God with humility and trust, seeking His healing and presence in our lives, and welcoming others into this universal feast of faith.