Daily Readings - Sat Jun 12 2021
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 who have been blessed by God and who will be recognized among the nations for their offspring and progeny. The prophet describes a scene of rejoicing and exultation, where the people are clothed in the vestments of salvation and wrapped in the clothing of justice. This imagery speaks of a deep transformation, where God’s people are not only restored but also adorned with the beauty of His righteousness. The passage concludes with a promise that just as the earth brings forth its seedlings, so too will God bring forth justice and praise in the sight of all nations.
The Gospel reading from Luke tells the story of the young Jesus, who at the age of twelve, remains in the temple while His parents journey back home. This narrative highlights Jesus’ deep connection to His Father’s work, as He engages with the teachers in the temple, astonishing them with His understanding and responses. When Mary and Joseph finally find Him, Jesus’ response, “Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” reveals His singular focus on His divine mission. Despite their misunderstanding, Mary keeps these words in her heart, reflecting on the mystery of her Son’s identity and purpose.
Together, these readings invite us to reflect on our own relationship with God and His plan for our lives. Isaiah reminds us that we are called to be a people clothed in salvation and justice, bearing fruit in the sight of all. Luke’s account of the young Jesus challenges us to prioritize our relationship with God, even when it requires setting aside our own plans and expectations. Like Mary, we are called to trust in God’s providence and to keep His words in our hearts, allowing them to guide us in our daily lives. May we, like Jesus, remain faithful to our Father’s will, and may our lives bear witness to His justice and praise.