Daily Readings - Thu Jun 24 2021
Isaiah
1Listen to me, O coastlands, and give attention, you peoples from afar. The LORD called me from the womb, from the body of my mother he named my name.2He made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me a polished arrow; in his quiver he hid me away.3And he said to me, "You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified."4But I said, "I have labored in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity; yet surely my right is with the LORD, and my recompense with my God."5And now the LORD says, he who formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him; and that Israel might be gathered to him--for I am honored in the eyes of the LORD, and my God has become my strength--6he says: "It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth."
Acts
22And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, 'I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.'23Of this man's offspring God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised.24Before his coming, John had proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.25And as John was finishing his course, he said, 'What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but behold, after me one is coming, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.'26"Brothers, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to us has been sent the message of this salvation.
Luke
57Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son.58And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her.59And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they would have called him Zechariah after his father,60but his mother answered, "No; he shall be called John."61And they said to her, "None of your relatives is called by this name."62And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he wanted him to be called.63And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, "His name is John." And they all wondered.64And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God.65And fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea,66and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, "What then will this child be?" For the hand of the Lord was with him.80And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of divine calling, trust in God’s plan, and the unfolding of salvation history. In the first reading from Isaiah, we hear the voice of the prophet, who humbly acknowledges his role as God’s servant, called from the womb to be a light not only to Israel but to the Gentiles. Though he expresses moments of doubt and weariness, he ultimately places his trust in God’s judgment and strength. This passage reminds us that our purpose is not always immediately clear, but God’s plan is greater than our limited understanding.
In the second reading from Acts, St. Paul connects the dots of salvation history, highlighting God’s faithfulness in raising up leaders like David and ultimately sending Jesus as the Savior. John the Baptist, as mentioned in the reading, prepares the way for Jesus, emphasizing the continuity of God’s plan. This reminds us that we, too, are part of this ongoing story of salvation, called to play our unique role in God’s plan.
The Gospel from Luke brings us to the birth of John the Baptist, a figure who embodies preparation and humility. The wonder of John’s birth and his early dedication to God’s will foreshadow his role as the one who would point others to Jesus. The neighbors’ question, “What will this child be?” invites us to reflect on our own lives: What is the purpose God has entrusted to us, and how are we responding to it?
Today’s readings challenge us to embrace our calling with humility and trust. Like Isaiah, we may face moments of doubt, but God’s plan is always bigger than our own. Like John the Baptist, we are called to prepare the way for others to encounter God. Let us ask ourselves: Am I open to God’s will in my life? Am I trusting in His plan, even when it’s unclear? May we, like the servant in Isaiah, find our strength in God and allow His light to shine through us to a world in need.