Daily Readings - Mon Nov 29 2021
Isaiah
1The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.2It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be lifted up above the hills; and all the nations shall flow to it,3and many peoples shall come, and say: "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths." For out of Zion shall go the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.4He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.5O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD.
Matthew
5When he entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him,6"Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly."7And he said to him, "I will come and heal him."8But the centurion replied, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed.9For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes, and to another, 'Come,' and he comes, and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."10When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, "Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith.11I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven,13And to the centurion Jesus said, "Go; let it be done for you as you have believed." And the servant was healed at that very moment.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the power of faith and the universal call to peace and unity. In the first reading, Isaiah paints a vision of a future where all nations stream to the mountain of the Lord, seeking his ways and walking in his paths. This is a time when swords are beaten into plowshares and war is no more. It is a vision of peace, harmony, and unity among all peoples. Isaiah speaks these words to a Judah facing political turmoil and the threat of foreign invasion, offering hope that God’s plan for humanity is one of ultimate peace and reconciliation. The reading reminds us that God’s ways are not limited to one people or place but are meant for all nations.
In the Gospel, we encounter a Roman centurion, a man of authority and power, who humbles himself before Jesus. Despite his status, he recognizes his unworthiness and trusts completely in Jesus’ power to heal his servant. His faith is remarkable because he understands the chain of command and believes that Jesus’ word alone is sufficient to bring healing. Jesus, in turn, praises the centurion’s faith and grants the healing. This story highlights the universality of God’s grace and the importance of humility and trust in our relationship with God. Like the centurion, we are called to approach God with faith, recognizing our limitations and relying on his providence.
These readings are connected by the theme of faith and trust in God’s plan. Isaiah’s vision of universal peace is fulfilled in part through the healing power of Jesus, who extends his grace to all people, regardless of their background. For us today, these readings invite us to trust in God’s plan for our lives and for the world. Like the centurion, we may face challenges and uncertainties, but we can approach God with humility and faith, knowing that his word has the power to bring healing and transformation. Let us strive to live as instruments of peace and to share the universal message of God’s love with all people.