Daily Readings - Sat Feb 29 2020
Isaiah
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.11And the LORD will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.12And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in.13"If you turn back your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your pleasure on my holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight and the holy day of the LORD honorable; if you honor it, not going your own ways, or seeking your own pleasure, or talking idly;14then you shall take delight in the LORD, and I will make you ride on the heights of the earth; I will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken."
Luke
27After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth. And he said to him, "Follow me."28And leaving everything, he rose and followed him.29And Levi made him a great feast in his house, and there was a large company of tax collectors and others reclining at table with them.30And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at his disciples, saying, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?"31And Jesus answered them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.32I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful messages about living out our faith through compassionate actions and inclusive communities. The first reading from Isaiah 58 emphasizes the true meaning of fasting and observing the Sabbath. Isaiah critiques hypocritical practices, urging the people to fast not just from food but from oppression and injustice. He calls them to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, and free the oppressed, promising that such actions will bring light and renewal. Observing the Sabbath is not just about rest but about glorifying God by not pursuing one's own interests, leading to spiritual nourishment and joy.
The Gospel from Luke 5 shifts our focus to Jesus' encounter with Levi, a tax collector, and His dining with sinners. This act shocks the Pharisees, who question Jesus' choice of company. Jesus responds by clarifying His mission: He has come not for the self-righteous but for those who recognize their need for repentance. This challenges the traditional religious boundaries, emphasizing that faith is about reaching out to those on the margins.
These readings connect through their emphasis on compassion and inclusivity. Isaiah highlights the need to care for the vulnerable, while Luke shows Jesus embracing those society rejects. Both challenge us to move beyond mere rituals to a faith that transforms lives. In our daily lives, this means reflecting on how our actions align with our faith, ensuring we serve others and embrace those different from us. The moral lesson is clear: true piety is about love and service, not just rituals. Let us strive to live out our faith by caring for others and welcoming all, just as Jesus did.