Daily Readings - Tue Dec 06 2022
Isaiah
1Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.2Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the LORD's hand double for all her sins.3A voice cries: "In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.4Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain.5And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken."6A voice says, "Cry!" And I said, "What shall I cry?" All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field.7The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the LORD blows on it; surely the people are grass.8The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.9Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good news; lift it up, fear not; say to the cities of Judah, "Behold your God!"10Behold, the Lord GOD comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him.11He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.
Matthew
12What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray?13And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray.14So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful messages of hope, redemption, and God's enduring love. The first reading from Isaiah offers a vision of consolation and transformation. The prophet speaks to a people in exile, promising that their suffering will end and that God's glory will be revealed. He uses vivid imagery—valleys being lifted and mountains lowered—to convey that God will prepare a way for His people, ensuring a smooth path for their return. Isaiah also reminds us of the transient nature of human life, likening it to grass and flowers that wither, but contrasts this with the eternal Word of God, which endures forever.
The Gospel from Matthew complements this message with the parable of the lost sheep. Jesus teaches that the shepherd, representing God, goes to great lengths to find the one lost sheep, rejoicing more over its return than over the ninety-nine that remained safe. This emphasizes God's deep care for each individual, especially those who feel lost or marginalized. Together, the readings highlight God's active role in seeking and saving His people, whether through the prophetic call to prepare the way or the shepherd's relentless pursuit of the lost.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to trust in God's plan and to reflect His compassionate heart. Just as Isaiah called the people to hope and preparation, we are urged to trust in God's promises, even in uncertain times. Like the shepherd, we are called to reach out to those around us who may feel lost or forgotten, embodying God's mercy and love. The moral lesson here is clear: God's love is both eternal and personal, and we are all called to participate in His work of redemption and care. Let us, therefore, open our hearts to His Word and allow His Spirit to guide us in living out His love in the world.