Daily Readings - Sat Dec 07 2019
Isaiah
19For a people shall dwell in Zion, in Jerusalem; you shall weep no more. He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry. As soon as he hears it, he answers you.20And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your Teacher.21And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, "This is the way, walk in it," when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.23And he will give rain for the seed with which you sow the ground, and bread, the produce of the ground, which will be rich and plenteous. In that day your livestock will graze in large pastures,24and the oxen and the donkeys that work the ground will eat seasoned fodder, which has been winnowed with shovel and fork.25And on every lofty mountain and every high hill there will be brooks running with water, in the day of the great slaughter, when the towers fall.26Moreover, the light of the moon will be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun will be sevenfold, as the light of seven days, in the day when the LORD binds up the brokenness of his people, and heals the wounds inflicted by his blow.
Matthew
35And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction.36When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.37Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few;38therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest."
1And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction.5These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, "Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans,6but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.7And proclaim as you go, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'8Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound visions of God's compassion and our role within His plan. The prophet Isaiah paints a vivid picture of a restored Israel, where God's people live in abundance and guidance, free from sorrow. This vision is not just a promise of material prosperity but a spiritual renewal, where God's presence is palpable, and His people are led with wisdom and care. In contrast, Matthew's Gospel presents Jesus, moved by compassion for the crowds who are like sheep without a shepherd. Recognizing their spiritual hunger, Jesus calls His disciples to be laborers in a bountiful harvest, entrusted with the mission to heal, preach, and bring hope to those in need.
These readings are deeply connected, as both highlight God's compassionate heart and the responsibility of His followers to act. Isaiah's prophecy of restoration finds its fulfillment in the ministry of Jesus and the church. Just as God promised to guide and provide for His people, Jesus commissions His disciples to continue this work of compassion and restoration. The connection reminds us that God's plan is both timeless and timely, requiring active participation from His people.
In our daily lives, these readings call us to trust in God's providence and to embody His compassion. Like the disciples, we are called to step out in faith, serving others and sharing the Good News. The moral lesson here is clear: compassion is not passive but active, requiring us to reach out and make a difference. As we navigate our own challenges, may we find strength in God's promise of guidance and may we, like Jesus, be moved to serve others with love and compassion.