Daily Readings - Sun Nov 29 2020
Isaiah
16For you are our Father, though Abraham does not know us, and Israel does not acknowledge us; you, O LORD, are our Father, our Redeemer from of old is your name.17O LORD, why do you make us wander from your ways and harden our heart, so that we fear you not? Return for the sake of your servants, the tribes of your heritage.
1Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains might quake at your presence--3When you did awesome things that we did not look for, you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence.4From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for him.5You meet him who joyfully works righteousness, those who remember you in your ways. Behold, you were angry, and we sinned; in our sins we have been a long time, and shall we be saved?6We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.7There is no one who calls upon your name, who rouses himself to take hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us, and have made us melt in the hand of our iniquities.8But now, O LORD, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.
1 Corinthians
3Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.4I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus,5that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge--6even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you--7so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ,8who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.9God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Mark
33Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come.34It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake.35Therefore stay awake--for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the cock crows, or in the morning--36lest he come suddenly and find you asleep.37And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake."
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of longing, grace, and vigilance. In the first reading from Isaiah, we hear the prophet’s heartfelt cry to God, expressing a deep yearning for divine intervention. The people acknowledge their sinfulness and the ways they have strayed from God’s path, yet they hold onto the hope of redemption. Isaiah reminds us that even in our brokenness, God remains our Father and Maker, and we are His beloved creation. The reading from 1 Corinthians shifts our focus to the grace of God, which has been abundantly poured out in Christ. Paul thanks God for the spiritual gifts bestowed upon the Corinthian community, emphasizing that they lack nothing as they await the return of the Lord. This passage encourages us to trust in God’s faithfulness and to live with gratitude for the blessings we have received. Finally, in the Gospel, Jesus calls us to vigilance. Using the parable of the absent master, He reminds us that we must always be ready, for we do not know when the Lord will return. This teaching challenges us to live with purpose and attentiveness, mindful of our ultimate calling.
These readings are deeply connected. Isaiah’s cry for God’s presence and Paul’s thanksgiving for God’s grace both point to the reality of our dependence on God. While Isaiah expresses the pain of separation, Paul highlights the joy of union with Christ. Together, they remind us that our relationship with God is one of both repentance and gratitude. The Gospel then calls us to live this relationship with intentionality. Jesus’ command to “be vigilant” is not about fear but about fidelity. It invites us to stay awake to God’s presence in our lives and to remain prepared to meet Him, whether in the quiet moments of prayer or in the challenges of daily life.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: How do we cultivate vigilance in our lives? It begins with prayer, for prayer keeps us attentive to God’s voice and open to His will. It also requires humility, acknowledging our sinfulness and trusting in God’s mercy. Finally, it demands gratitude, recognizing the grace that has been given to us and living in a way that reflects our thanksgiving. May we, like the Corinthians, be strengthened by God’s faithfulness and remain steadfast as we await the day of the Lord. Let us not grow complacent but instead live each day with purpose, knowing that we are called to be His faithful servants, ready to welcome Him whenever He comes.