Daily Catholic Mass Readings for March 3, 2020
First Reading: Isaiah 55.10-11
10"For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,11so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
Psalm 34
1I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.2My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad.3Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together!4I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.5Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.6This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him and saved him out of all his troubles.7The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.8Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!9Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack!10The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.11Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.12What man is there who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good?13Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.14Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.15The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry.16The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth.17When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.18The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.19Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.20He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken.21Affliction will slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.22The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.
Gospel: Matthew 6.7-15
7"And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.9Pray then like this: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.10Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.11Give us this day our daily bread,12and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.14For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you,15but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful messages about trust and communication with God. The first reading from Isaiah 55:10-11 uses the imagery of rain and snow to illustrate the effectiveness of God's word. Just as these elements nourish the earth and bring forth life, God's word accomplishes its purpose without returning void. This passage, set against the backdrop of Israel's hope for restoration, reminds us of the reliability and fruitfulness of God's promises.
The Gospel from Matthew 6:7-15 shifts our focus to prayer. Jesus teaches the disciples to pray with sincerity, using the Lord's Prayer as a model. He emphasizes that God knows our needs before we ask, urging us to avoid the empty repetitions of the pagans. The prayer teaches us to seek holiness, God's will, daily bread, forgiveness, and protection from evil. Jesus underscores the importance of forgiveness, warning that our ability to forgive others affects how God forgives us.
These readings intertwine themes of trust and sincerity. Isaiah assures us that God's word is trustworthy, while Matthew's Gospel calls us to trust in God's provision and to approach Him with genuine hearts. In our daily lives, this means trusting God's plan, praying sincerely, and embracing forgiveness. The moral lesson is clear: deepen your trust in God, communicate with Him authentically, and live out your faith through forgiveness and reliance on His goodness.