Daily Catholic Mass Readings for December 5, 2019
First Reading: Isaiah 26.1-6
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."
Psalm 118
1Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!2Let Israel say, "His steadfast love endures forever."3Let the house of Aaron say, "His steadfast love endures forever."4Let those who fear the LORD say, "His steadfast love endures forever."5Out of my distress I called on the LORD; the LORD answered me and set me free.6The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?7The LORD is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.8It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.9It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.10All nations surrounded me; in the name of the LORD I cut them off!11They surrounded me, surrounded me on every side; in the name of the LORD I cut them off!12They surrounded me like bees; they went out like a fire among thorns; in the name of the LORD I cut them off!13I was pushed hard, so that I was falling, but the LORD helped me.14The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.15Glad songs of salvation are in the tents of the righteous: "The right hand of the LORD does valiantly,16the right hand of the LORD exalts, the right hand of the LORD does valiantly!"17I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the LORD.18The LORD has disciplined me severely, but he has not given me over to death.19Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the LORD.20This is the gate of the LORD; the righteous shall enter through it.21I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation.22The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.23This is the LORD's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.24This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.25Save us, we pray, O LORD! O LORD, we pray, give us success!26Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD! We bless you from the house of the LORD.27The LORD is God, and he has made his light to shine upon us. Bind the festal sacrifice with cords, up to the horns of the altar!28You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God; I will extol you.29Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!
Gospel: Matthew 7.21, 24-27
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 are invited to reflect on the themes of trust, action, and spiritual foundation. The First Reading from Isaiah paints a vivid picture of a city of strength, Zion, where the just and truthful enter through open gates. It speaks of a time when old errors fade away, and peace is served because hope is placed in God. The passage also warns of the downfall of the lofty city, emphasizing that the poor and the humble will tread it down. This serves as a reminder that true strength comes from trusting in God, who humbles the proud and exalts the humble.
The Gospel from Matthew complements this message with Jesus’ teachings on true discipleship. He emphasizes that merely calling Him “Lord” is not enough; what matters is doing the will of His Father. Jesus then illustrates this with the parable of the wise and foolish builders. The wise man builds his house on rock, symbolizing a life grounded in God’s will, which endures life’s storms. Conversely, the foolish man builds on sand, representing a life without a firm spiritual foundation, which crumbles under pressure. This parable underscores the importance of not just hearing God’s word but also living it out in our actions.
These readings remind us that our faith must be rooted in trust and action. Just as the wise builder acts on Jesus’ teachings to secure his house, we too must build our lives on the rock of God’s will. In our daily lives, this means putting our faith into practice through our choices and deeds. It calls us to trust in God’s providence, even when challenges arise, and to live out our faith with integrity. The moral lesson here is clear: a life of faith without action is like a house built on sand—it may look sturdy but will not withstand the storms of life. Let us, therefore, strive to be wise builders, grounding our lives in the rock of God’s love and will, so that we may stand firm in the face of every trial.