Daily Readings - Sun Dec 03 2023
Isaiah
16For you are our Father, though Abraham does not know us, and Israel does not acknowledge us; you, O LORD, are our Father, our Redeemer from of old is your name.17O LORD, why do you make us wander from your ways and harden our heart, so that we fear you not? Return for the sake of your servants, the tribes of your heritage.
1Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains might quake at your presence--3When you did awesome things that we did not look for, you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence.4From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for him.5You meet him who joyfully works righteousness, those who remember you in your ways. Behold, you were angry, and we sinned; in our sins we have been a long time, and shall we be saved?6We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.7There is no one who calls upon your name, who rouses himself to take hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us, and have made us melt in the hand of our iniquities.8But now, O LORD, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.
1 Corinthians
3Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.4I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus,5that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge--6even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you--7so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ,8who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.9God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Mark
33Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come.34It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake.35Therefore stay awake--for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the cock crows, or in the morning--36lest he come suddenly and find you asleep.37And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake."
Sermon
In today's readings, we are presented with themes of longing, grace, and vigilance. The First Reading from Isaiah expresses the Israelites' sense of abandonment and their plea for God's return, reflecting on their sins and yearning for His presence. The Second Reading from 1 Corinthians offers a message of thanksgiving and reassurance, highlighting the grace and strength provided through Christ, and the faithfulness of God. The Gospel from Mark calls us to vigilance and prayer, urging us to stay alert for the Lord's return, much like a watchful doorkeeper.
The context of these readings reveals deeper connections. Isaiah's plea is set against the backdrop of the Babylonian exile, where the Israelites grapple with their sins and separation from God. Paul's letter to the Corinthians is a pastoral encouragement, reinforcing their faith and the assurance of God's grace. Mark's Gospel, part of the Olivet Discourse, prepares the disciples for Jesus' departure and the challenges ahead. Together, these readings weave a narrative of trust in God's faithfulness amidst trials.
Applying these teachings to daily life, we are reminded of the importance of maintaining a strong spiritual life through prayer and vigilance. Just as the doorkeeper in Mark's Gospel is to stay watchful, we should remain attentive to God's presence and guidance. Recognizing our own shortcomings, as in Isaiah, encourages us to seek forgiveness and renewal. The moral lesson here is one of trust and grace—despite our weaknesses, God remains faithful, providing the strength we need. We are called to stay alert and prayerful, trusting in God's plan and grace.