Daily Readings - Tue Mar 03 2020
Isaiah
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.
Matthew
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.