Daily Readings - Sun Aug 21 2022
Isaiah
18"For I know their works and their thoughts, and the time is coming to gather all nations and tongues. And they shall come and shall see my glory,19and I will set a sign among them. And from them I will send survivors to the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, who draw the bow, to Tubal and Javan, to the coastlands afar off, that have not heard my fame or seen my glory. And they shall declare my glory among the nations.20And they shall bring all your brothers from all the nations as an offering to the LORD, on horses and in chariots and in litters and on mules and on dromedaries, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, says the LORD, just as the Israelites bring their grain offering in a clean vessel to the house of the LORD.21And some of them also I will take for priests and for Levites, says the LORD.
Hebrews
5And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? "My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him.6For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives."7It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?11For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.12Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees,13and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.
Luke
22He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching and journeying toward Jerusalem.23And someone said to him, "Lord, will those who are saved be few?" And he said to them,24"Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.25When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, 'Lord, open to us,' then he will answer you, 'I do not know where you come from.'26Then you will begin to say, 'We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.'27But he will say, 'I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!'28In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God but you yourselves cast out.29And people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God.30And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last."
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on God’s universal call, the nature of discipline, and the urgency of living a life of purpose and faith. In the first reading from Isaiah, we hear a vision of God gathering all nations and peoples to Himself, a sign of His universal plan of salvation. This passage emphasizes that God’s glory is not confined to one place or people but is meant to be shared with all. It reminds us that we are called to be part of this universal mission, bringing God’s light to a world in need.
The second reading from Hebrews takes us deeper into the nature of God’s love and discipline. It reminds us that suffering and correction are not signs of God’s absence but rather of His love. Just as a father disciplines his children to help them grow, God allows trials in our lives to purify us and draw us closer to Him. This passage calls us to embrace discipline as a path to holiness, trusting that the struggles we endure will ultimately bear fruit in peace and justice.
In the Gospel, Jesus challenges us to examine our commitment to following Him. When asked about the number of those who will be saved, He shifts the focus from numbers to the narrow gate through which we must enter. Jesus warns that many will try to enter but will fail because they are complacent or lukewarm in their faith. This is a call to live with intentionality, to strive for a life of discipleship, and to avoid the temptation to rely on superficial associations with God rather than a deep, personal relationship.
These readings together remind us that our faith is not a passive endeavor but an active journey. We are called to live with purpose, embracing both the mission of sharing God’s love with the world and the discipline required to grow in holiness. Let us ask ourselves: Am I living a life that reflects the universal call of God’s love? Am I open to the discipline that shapes me into the person He desires me to be? Let us strive to enter through the narrow gate, trusting that the path, though challenging, leads to eternal life.