Daily Readings - Thu Jun 23 2022
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 calling, trust, and fulfillment. In the first reading from Isaiah, we hear the voice of the prophet, who speaks of being called from the womb to serve the Lord. Despite feelings of emptiness and futility, he trusts that his judgment and work are in God’s hands. This passage reminds us that our purpose is not always immediately clear, but God’s plan is bigger than our limited understanding. The prophet’s ultimate mission is to be a light to the Gentiles, showing that God’s salvation extends to all people.
In the second reading from Acts, St. Paul connects the dots between King David, John the Baptist, and Jesus. David, a man after God’s own heart, was chosen to lead Israel, but the true fulfillment of God’s promise comes through Jesus. John the Baptist, humbly preparing the way for the Messiah, reminds us that our role is to point others to Christ. This passage emphasizes that our lives are part of a larger story, and our efforts, though small, contribute to God’s great plan of salvation.
The Gospel from Luke brings us to the birth of John the Baptist, a moment of wonder and awe. Elizabeth’s neighbors marvel at the mercy of God, and Zechariah, once silenced, now speaks in praise of God. John’s name, meaning “God is gracious,” reflects the divine favor at work in his life. As the child grows in the wilderness, we see that God’s hand is upon him, preparing him for his mission. This passage invites us to trust in God’s timing and to recognize the ways He is at work in our lives, even when the path is unclear.
Today’s readings call us to embrace our own calling, whatever it may be, and to trust in God’s providence. Like Isaiah, we may face challenges or feel uncertain about our purpose, but we can take heart in knowing that our efforts are part of a greater plan. Like John the Baptist, we are called to prepare the way for others to encounter Christ. Let us ask for the grace to listen to God’s voice, to trust in His plan, and to fulfill our role in His story of salvation.