Daily Readings - Sat Jun 25 2022
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 readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of divine favor, faith, and the call to live in harmony with God’s plan. In the first reading from Isaiah, we hear a beautiful expression of joy and gratitude as the prophet describes the people of God as blessed and adorned with the garments of salvation and justice. This passage is set in the context of Israel’s return from exile, where Isaiah offers hope and assurance that God’s favor will once again rest upon His people. The imagery of a bride and groom adorned in their finest attire symbolizes the restoration and joy that come from being in a right relationship with God.
In the Gospel, we encounter the story of the young Jesus in the temple. This narrative marks a significant moment in Luke’s account of Jesus’ life, as it reveals His deep connection to His Father’s mission even from a young age. Mary and Joseph, though worried and searching for Him, find Jesus engaged in profound conversation with the teachers of the law. His response, “Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” highlights His singular focus on fulfilling God’s will. This story reminds us that faith is not merely about following traditions or customs but about seeking a deeper understanding of God’s plan for our lives.
These readings challenge us to examine our own relationship with God. Like the people in Isaiah, we are called to recognize the ways in which God has blessed us and to live in gratitude and justice. Like Mary and Joseph, we are invited to trust in God’s plan, even when it is not immediately clear. In our daily lives, this means taking time to reflect on how God is present in our experiences and being open to His guidance. May we, like the young Jesus, seek to grow in wisdom and grace, and may we, like Mary, treasure these moments of insight in our hearts.