Daily Catholic Mass Readings for December 9, 2020
First Reading: Isaiah 40.25-31
25To whom then will you compare me, that I should be like him? says the Holy One.26Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name, by the greatness of his might, and because he is strong in power not one is missing.27Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, "My way is hidden from the LORD, and my right is disregarded by my God"?28Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.29He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.30Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted;31but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Psalm 103
1Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!2Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,3who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases,4who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,5who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.6The LORD works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed.7He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel.8The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.9He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever.10He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.11For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;12as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.13As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him.14For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.15As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field;16for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more.17But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children,18to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments.19The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.20Bless the LORD, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word!21Bless the LORD, all his hosts, his ministers, who do his will!22Bless the LORD, all his works, in all places of his dominion. Bless the LORD, O my soul!
Gospel: Matthew 11.28-30
Sermon
The first reading from Isaiah invites us to reflect on God’s majesty and power as Creator. The prophet challenges us to recognize that no one can compare to the Holy One, who has created the heavens and governs all things with strength and wisdom. Isaiah reminds the people of Israel, and us, not to lose faith even when we feel forgotten or when our struggles seem endless. He assures us that God does not grow weary, and though we may falter, those who hope in the Lord will find new strength, like eagles soaring high. This passage is a call to trust in God’s providence and to remember that our strength comes from Him.
In the Gospel, Jesus offers a similar invitation to trust and hope. He says, “Come to me, all you who labor and have been burdened, and I will refresh you.” These words are a promise of rest and renewal for those who are weary. Jesus invites us to take His yoke upon us, not because it is easy, but because His yoke is “sweet” and His burden is “light.” This doesn’t mean our struggles will disappear, but it does mean that when we yoke ourselves to Him, we will find the strength to carry our burdens with grace and peace. Jesus’ words are a reminder that we are not alone in our struggles; He walks with us and shares our load.
Both readings remind us to trust in God’s strength and to seek comfort in Him. In a world that often feels overwhelming, it’s easy to lose heart or to think that God has forgotten us. But Isaiah and Jesus both assure us that God is near, and His power is available to us. In our daily lives, when we feel weary or burdened, we can turn to God in prayer, asking for the grace to persevere. Let us learn to yoke ourselves to Jesus, trusting that His strength will sustain us and that His peace will refresh our souls.