Daily Readings - Sat Jun 20 2020
Isaiah
9Their offspring shall be known among the nations, and their descendants in the midst of the peoples; all who see them shall acknowledge them, that they are an offspring the LORD has blessed.10I will greatly rejoice in the LORD; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.11For as the earth brings forth its sprouts, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to sprout up, so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to sprout up before all the nations.
Luke
41Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.42And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom.43And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it,44but supposing him to be in the group they went a day's journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances,45and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him.46After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.47And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.48And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress."49And he said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?"50And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them.51And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.
Sermon
The first reading from Isaiah paints a vivid picture of a people restored and blessed by God, their identity as God’s chosen ones visible to all nations. The prophet speaks of rejoicing in the Lord, who has clothed them in salvation and justice, likening the people to a bride and groom adorned for a grand celebration. This passage is set in the context of Israel’s exile and return, offering hope and assurance that God’s justice and praise will be made manifest to all. It’s a declaration of God’s transformative power and His promise to renew His people.
In the Gospel, we encounter the young Jesus in the temple, where He astonishes the scholars with His understanding and responses. This story from Luke is often seen as a glimpse into Jesus’ early life, highlighting His deep connection to His Father’s mission. Mary and Joseph, though initially worried and confused, come to understand that Jesus is about His Father’s business. This passage reminds us that even in moments of uncertainty, trusting in God’s plan and seeking Him with perseverance can lead to profound encounters with His will.
Both readings invite us to reflect on our own relationship with God. Like the people in Isaiah, we are called to recognize ourselves as blessed and clothed in God’s justice, living in a way that reflects His presence in our lives. Like Mary and Joseph, we are called to seek God diligently, even when the path is unclear. Today, let us ask ourselves: Are we attentive to God’s voice in our lives? Are we trusting in His plan, even when it challenges our understanding? May we, like the young Jesus, be about our Father’s business, and may we, like Mary, keep God’s words in our hearts, pondering them deeply.