Daily Readings - Tue Feb 28 2023
Isaiah
10"For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,11so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
Matthew
7"And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.9Pray then like this: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.10Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.11Give us this day our daily bread,12and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.14For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you,15but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the power of God’s word and the simplicity of prayer. In the first reading from Isaiah, we hear that just as rain and snow water the earth and bring forth life, so too does God’s word accomplish its purpose. It does not return empty but brings fruit, whether it is seed for the sower or bread for the hungry. This passage reminds us that God’s word is not just a distant promise but an active force in the world, nurturing and transforming all it touches.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches us how to pray. He warns against the kind of prayer that relies on many words, as if repetition or complexity might guarantee being heard. Instead, He offers the simple yet profound prayer we know as the Our Father. This prayer is not about impressing others or ourselves; it is about aligning our hearts with God’s will. It asks for daily bread, forgiveness, and protection from evil, emphasizing that true prayer is rooted in humility, trust, and a willingness to forgive others as we seek forgiveness from God.
Together, these readings remind us that prayer and God’s word are not passive things. They are dynamic and transformative. Just as rain and snow bring life to the earth, prayer and the word of God can bring life to our souls. The challenge for us is to approach prayer with simplicity and sincerity, trusting that God knows our needs before we even speak them. Let us also remember that forgiveness is not optional; it is a cornerstone of living as children of God. As we pray today, may we seek to align our lives with God’s will, trusting in His word and living out the values of His kingdom.