Daily Readings - Sun Jan 12 2020
Isaiah
1Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations.2He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street;3a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice.4He will not grow faint or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his law.6"I am the LORD; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations,7to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.
Acts
34So Peter opened his mouth and said: "Truly I understand that God shows no partiality,35but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.36As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all),37you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed:38how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
Matthew
13Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him.14John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?"15But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he consented.16And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him;17and behold, a voice from heaven said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of justice, equality, and the universal call to holiness. In the first reading from Isaiah, we encounter a prophecy about God’s servant, who will bring light and justice to the world. This servant is not one who will break the bruised reed or extinguish the smoldering wick; instead, he will lead with gentleness and compassion, ensuring that even the most vulnerable are not overlooked. This passage sets the stage for understanding Jesus as the fulfillment of this prophecy, the one who embodies God’s justice and mercy.
In the second reading from Acts, Peter proclaims that God does not show favoritism, and that anyone who fears God and works justice is acceptable to him. This is a powerful reminder of the universality of God’s love and the call to live a life of integrity and compassion. Peter’s words echo the message of Isaiah, emphasizing that God’s plan of salvation is not limited to a chosen few but is open to all people. This reading challenges us to examine our own biases and prejudices, urging us to see everyone through the lens of God’s love.
The Gospel reading from Matthew recounts the baptism of Jesus, a moment that reveals the profound unity of the Trinity. As Jesus emerges from the water, the heavens open, the Spirit descends like a dove, and the Father’s voice affirms Jesus as his beloved Son. This scene is not just a moment of revelation for Jesus but also for us. It reminds us that our baptism is a call to live as beloved children of God, to embrace our mission to bring light and justice to the world, and to do so with humility and compassion. Just as Jesus fulfilled all justice by being baptized, we too are called to fulfill our own calling by living lives of integrity, love, and service.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: How do we embody the justice and mercy of God in our daily lives? How do we ensure that we do not overlook the vulnerable or exclude those who may seem different from us? Let us remember that we are all called to be lights in the darkness, bringing hope and healing to a world in need. May we, like Jesus, fulfill our mission with humility and love, trusting in the power of the Holy Spirit to guide us.