Daily Readings - Wed Dec 07 2022
Isaiah
25To whom then will you compare me, that I should be like him? says the Holy One.26Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name, by the greatness of his might, and because he is strong in power not one is missing.27Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, "My way is hidden from the LORD, and my right is disregarded by my God"?28Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.29He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.30Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted;31but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Sermon
In today's readings, we find a profound message of hope and trust in God's providence. The first reading from Isaiah 40:25-31 reminds us of God's incomparable power and care. Speaking through the prophet, God asks, "To whom would you compare me?" emphasizing His uniqueness and might. He leads the stars by number and names each, showing meticulous care over creation. Addressing Jacob and Israel, God comforts them, reminding them that even when they feel hidden or unnoticed, His presence endures. The passage concludes with a promise: those who hope in the Lord will find renewed strength, soaring like eagles.
In the Gospel, Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus invites the weary and burdened to come to Him for rest. He offers His yoke, promising it is easy and His burden light. This invitation contrasts the heavy loads we often carry with the gentle leadership of Christ, who models meekness and humility. Both readings connect through themes of trust and rest, encouraging us to surrender our burdens to God.
Applying this to our lives, we all face weariness and burdens. The readings urge us to turn to God, trusting in His care and finding rest in Him. The moral lesson is one of trust and surrender, recognizing that true strength comes from humility and reliance on God. Let us seek God's rest and trust in His providence, especially in times of fatigue, embracing the hope and renewal He offers.