Daily Readings - Sat Jun 08 2024
Isaiah
9Their offspring shall be known among the nations, and their descendants in the midst of the peoples; all who see them shall acknowledge them, that they are an offspring the LORD has blessed.10I will greatly rejoice in the LORD; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.11For as the earth brings forth its sprouts, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to sprout up, so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to sprout up before all the nations.
Luke
41Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.42And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom.43And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it,44but supposing him to be in the group they went a day's journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances,45and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him.46After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.47And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.48And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress."49And he said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?"50And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them.51And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of divine calling and faithful response. In the first reading from Isaiah, we hear a prophetic message of hope and joy, where the people of God are clothed in the garments of salvation and justice. This passage is part of a larger section in Isaiah often associated with the Messiah, emphasizing the restoration and blessings that God will bestow upon his people. The imagery of the bride and groom, along with the fertile earth producing its seedlings, underscores the fruitful and joyful nature of God’s work among his people.
In the Gospel, we encounter the story of the young Jesus in the temple. This narrative is a pivotal moment in Luke’s account, highlighting Jesus’ early awareness of his divine mission. While his parents initially fail to understand his actions, Mary’s question and Jesus’ response reveal the deeper spiritual reality at play. Jesus’ statement about being in his Father’s house points to his unique relationship with God and his mission to fulfill the Father’s will. The fact that Mary keeps these words in her heart suggests a growing understanding and acceptance of the mysterious plan unfolding before her.
These readings remind us that our lives are part of a larger divine plan. Like the young Jesus, we are called to discern and fulfill our mission, trusting in God’s providence even when the path is unclear. As we go about our daily lives, may we remain attentive to God’s voice, nurtured by prayer and reflection, and faithful in living out our calling. Let us, like Mary, keep the words of God in our hearts, allowing them to guide us in times of joy and uncertainty alike.