Daily Readings - Sun Feb 09 2020
Isaiah
6"Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?7Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?8Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.9Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, 'Here I am.' If you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,10if you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday.
1 Corinthians
1And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom.2For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.3And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling,4and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,5that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
Matthew
13"You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.14"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.15Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.16In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of true faith and how it should manifest in our lives. In the first reading from Isaiah, we are reminded that fasting is not just about abstaining from food but about living out our faith in tangible ways. Isaiah calls us to break free from the chains of injustice, to feed the hungry, and to shelter the homeless. This is the kind of fasting that pleases God—a fasting that leads to action, compassion, and justice. The prophet emphasizes that when we live in this way, our light will shine brightly, and God’s presence will be evident in our lives.
In the second reading, St. Paul humbly shares his approach to preaching the Gospel. He did not rely on eloquent words or human wisdom but instead focused on the power of the cross. Paul’s message was simple yet profound: the crucified Christ is the heart of our faith. He reminds us that our faith should not be rooted in human wisdom but in the power of God. This reading challenges us to trust in God’s wisdom rather than our own and to proclaim the Gospel with humility and sincerity.
In the Gospel, Jesus uses the metaphors of salt and light to describe the role of his followers in the world. Just as salt enhances flavor and light illuminates darkness, we are called to make a positive impact in the world around us. Jesus warns us against losing our saltiness or hiding our light. Instead, we are to let our good works shine so that others may see the goodness of God and glorify Him. This teaching reminds us that our faith is not just a private matter but something that should influence and transform the world.
These readings are interconnected in their call to live out our faith authentically. Isaiah emphasizes the importance of living justly and compassionately, Paul highlights the simplicity and power of the Gospel, and Jesus challenges us to be agents of transformation in the world. Together, they remind us that our faith should be visible in our actions, our words, and our commitment to justice and love. As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: How am I living out my faith? Am I a source of light and salt in my community? Let us strive to live in such a way that God’s presence is evident in our lives, and His love shines through us to a world in need.