Daily Readings - Mon Jan 09 2023
First Reading - Isaiah 42.1-4, 6-7 or Acts 10.34-38
Isaiah
1Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations.2He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street;3a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice.4He will not grow faint or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his law.6"I am the LORD; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations,7to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.
Acts
34So Peter opened his mouth and said: "Truly I understand that God shows no partiality,35but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.36As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all),37you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed:38how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
Matthew
13Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him.14John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?"15But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he consented.16And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him;17and behold, a voice from heaven said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of justice, humility, and the gentle yet profound way God works in the world. In the first reading from Isaiah, we encounter a prophecy about a servant of the Lord who will bring justice to the nations not through force or noise, but through gentleness and compassion. This servant, chosen and upheld by God, will be a light to the Gentiles and will free those trapped in darkness. The passage emphasizes that true justice is not about power or dominance but about healing the broken and upholding the vulnerable.
In the Gospel, we see this prophecy fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Matthew’s account of Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist reveals a profound moment of humility and obedience. Despite John’s hesitation, Jesus insists on being baptized, saying it is necessary to “fulfill all justice.” This act of humility is met with a divine affirmation: the heavens open, the Spirit descends like a dove, and the Father declares Jesus to be His beloved Son. This moment is not just about Jesus; it is about God’s way of working in the world—through self-giving love and humility rather than through might or coercion.
These readings remind us that our Christian life is not about seeking power or recognition but about living with humility, compassion, and gentleness. Just as Jesus fulfilled justice by being baptized, we are called to fulfill justice by living out our faith in ways that uplift others and bring light to those in darkness. Let us ask ourselves: How can we, like the servant in Isaiah and like Jesus, be instruments of God’s healing and justice in our daily lives? May we trust in God’s plan and allow the Spirit to guide us in living with humility, love, and courage.