Daily Readings - Fri Dec 09 2022
Isaiah
17Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "I am the LORD your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should go.18Oh that you had paid attention to my commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea;19your offspring would have been like the sand, and your descendants like its grains; their name would never be cut off or destroyed from before me."
Matthew
16"But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates,17"'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.'18For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.'19The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds."
Sermon
In today’s readings, we hear two distinct yet interconnected messages from the books of Isaiah and Matthew. Isaiah speaks of God’s guidance and the promise of peace and justice for those who follow His commandments. The passage serves as a reminder of the blessings that come from obedience, contrasting with the consequences of neglecting God’s teachings. In Matthew, Jesus illustrates the fickleness of the human heart through a parable about indecisive children. He highlights the rejection of both John the Baptist and Himself, pointing out how people criticized John for his austerity and Jesus for His engagement with sinners. This passage underscores the challenge of recognizing and embracing wisdom, regardless of its form.
Both readings emphasize the importance of responsiveness to God’s message. Isaiah’s context is one of redemption for the Israelites, urging them to follow God’s ways for the sake of peace and justice. Matthew’s context is Jesus addressing the crowds, expressing frustration over their inability to discern truth. Together, they remind us that God’s wisdom can come in various forms—sometimes through sacrifice, other times through engagement. The key is to remain open and receptive, avoiding the pitfalls of judgment and bias.
In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to reflect on our own responsiveness to God’s will. We may often find ourselves critical or indecisive, much like the generation Jesus addressed. The moral lesson here is the importance of discernment and openness. By following God’s commandments and embracing His wisdom, we can find true peace and justice. Let us strive to be receptive to God’s message, whether it comes through sacrifice or engagement, and trust in His guidance to lead us towards a life of fulfillment and grace.