Daily Readings - Mon Nov 28 2022
Isaiah
2In that day the branch of the LORD shall be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land shall be the pride and honor of the survivors of Israel.3And he who is left in Zion and remains in Jerusalem will be called holy, everyone who has been recorded for life in Jerusalem,4when the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion and cleansed the bloodstains of Jerusalem from its midst by a spirit of judgment and by a spirit of burning.5Then the LORD will create over the whole site of Mount Zion and over her assemblies a cloud by day, and smoke and the shining of a flaming fire by night; for over all the glory there will be a canopy.6There will be a booth for shade by day from the heat, and for a refuge and a shelter from the storm and rain.
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
Today’s readings invite us to reflect on the themes of trust in God’s providence and the universality of His kingdom. In the first reading from Isaiah, we are presented with a vision of a restored Zion, where God’s people are purified and protected under His tabernacle. This passage, written during a time of impending judgment for Israel, offers a message of hope and future restoration. Isaiah emphasizes that God will wash away the sins of His people and provide a place of refuge, symbolizing His eternal care and protection.
In the Gospel, Matthew recounts the story of the centurion who approaches Jesus with humility and unwavering faith. The centurion, recognizing his unworthiness, trusts that Jesus’ word alone can heal his servant. Jesus, marveling at this faith, not only heals the servant but also declares that many from the east and west will join the patriarchs in the kingdom of heaven. This narrative underscores the inclusion of Gentiles in God’s plan, highlighting that faith transcends boundaries and is the key to entering the kingdom.
These readings connect through the theme of trust in God’s plan. Isaiah’s vision encourages us to trust in God’s future promises, while the centurion’s faith demonstrates trust in God’s immediate providence. Together, they remind us to have faith in God’s timing and to embrace the inclusivity of His kingdom. In our daily lives, we are called to trust in God’s plan, even in uncertainty, and to approach Him with humility. Let us, like the centurion, open our hearts to God’s grace, recognizing that His kingdom is open to all who have faith. May we find shelter under His tabernacle and trust in His promise of eternal refuge.