Daily Readings - Sun Feb 05 2023
Isaiah
6"Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?7Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?8Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.9Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, 'Here I am.' If you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,10if you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday.
1 Corinthians
1And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom.2For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.3And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling,4and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,5that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
Matthew
13"You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.14"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.15Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.16In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are invited to reflect on the nature of true faith and how it should manifest in our lives. The first reading from Isaiah calls us to a fast that is not just about abstaining from food, but about living out our faith in tangible ways—freeing the oppressed, feeding the hungry, and clothing the naked. Isaiah emphasizes that when we live in such a way, our light will shine forth, and God’s presence will be evident in our lives. This passage reminds us that our faith is not just about personal piety but about transforming the world around us.
The second reading from 1 Corinthians complements this message. Paul humbly acknowledges that his preaching was not based on human wisdom or eloquence but on the power of the Spirit. He emphasizes that true faith is rooted in the cross of Christ, and it is the power of God, not human effort, that transforms hearts. This reading challenges us to trust in God’s grace rather than our own abilities and to seek a faith that is simple, sincere, and Spirit-led.
In the Gospel, Jesus calls us to be salt and light in the world. He warns us that if we lose our saltiness or hide our light, we fail to fulfill our purpose. Jesus encourages us to let our good works shine so that others may see God’s glory through us. This passage reminds us that our faith is not meant to be hidden or passive; it should actively impact the world, bringing flavor and light to those around us.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: How am I living out my faith in a way that transforms the world? Am I trusting in God’s power, or am I relying on my own strength? Am I shining my light for others to see? May we be inspired to live with humility, trust in God’s grace, and let our faith be a source of hope and light in a world that so desperately needs it.