Daily Catholic Mass Readings for December 7, 2023
First Reading: Isaiah 26.1-6
1In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: "We have a strong city; he sets up salvation as walls and bulwarks.2Open the gates, that the righteous nation that keeps faith may enter in.3You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.4Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.5For he has humbled the inhabitants of the height, the lofty city. He lays it low, lays it low to the ground, casts it to the dust.6The foot tramples it, the feet of the poor, the steps of the needy."
Psalm 118
1Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!2Let Israel say, "His steadfast love endures forever."3Let the house of Aaron say, "His steadfast love endures forever."4Let those who fear the LORD say, "His steadfast love endures forever."5Out of my distress I called on the LORD; the LORD answered me and set me free.6The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?7The LORD is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.8It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.9It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.10All nations surrounded me; in the name of the LORD I cut them off!11They surrounded me, surrounded me on every side; in the name of the LORD I cut them off!12They surrounded me like bees; they went out like a fire among thorns; in the name of the LORD I cut them off!13I was pushed hard, so that I was falling, but the LORD helped me.14The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.15Glad songs of salvation are in the tents of the righteous: "The right hand of the LORD does valiantly,16the right hand of the LORD exalts, the right hand of the LORD does valiantly!"17I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the LORD.18The LORD has disciplined me severely, but he has not given me over to death.19Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the LORD.20This is the gate of the LORD; the righteous shall enter through it.21I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation.22The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.23This is the LORD's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.24This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.25Save us, we pray, O LORD! O LORD, we pray, give us success!26Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD! We bless you from the house of the LORD.27The LORD is God, and he has made his light to shine upon us. Bind the festal sacrifice with cords, up to the horns of the altar!28You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God; I will extol you.29Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!
Gospel: Matthew 7.21, 24-27
21"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.24"Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.25And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.26And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.27And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it."
Sermon
The first reading from Isaiah paints a vivid picture of a secure and peaceful future for God’s people, where the city of Zion stands as a symbol of strength and refuge. The prophet emphasizes that this safety is not merely physical but deeply spiritual, rooted in trust and hope in the Lord. He reminds us that true peace comes from God and that our ultimate security lies in His providence. The passage also highlights the contrast between the lofty cities of human pride and the humble reliance of the poor and the marginalized, who will ultimately find their footing on the ruins of the arrogant.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches us about the essence of true discipleship. He makes it clear that merely calling Him “Lord” is not enough; what matters is living according to the will of the Father. Using the parable of the two builders, Jesus illustrates the importance of putting His words into practice. The wise builder, who constructs his house on rock, represents the one who hears and acts on God’s teachings. The foolish builder, who builds on sand, symbolizes those who hear but fail to live out their faith. Jesus warns us that without a firm foundation in His teachings, we risk spiritual ruin when the storms of life come.
These readings invite us to reflect on the foundation of our faith and how we live it out. Isaiah reminds us to trust in God’s providence and to hope in Him, while Jesus challenges us to move beyond mere words to actions that reflect our commitment to His will. In our daily lives, we are called to build our spiritual houses on the rock of God’s Word, not just by listening but by living it. This means being people of integrity, compassion, and service, rooted in the teachings of Christ. Let us ask ourselves: Is my faith a living, active force in my life, or is it merely a set of words? Let us strive to be wise builders, constructing our lives on the solid foundation of God’s love and truth.