Daily Readings - Sat Nov 30 2024
Romans
9because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.10For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.11For the Scripture says, "Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame."12For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him.13For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."14But how are they to call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?15And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!"16But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?"17So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.18But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have, for "Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world."
Matthew
18While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.19And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."20Immediately they left their nets and followed him.21And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them.22Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful messages about faith and discipleship. The first reading from Romans emphasizes the universal call to salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Paul explains that confessing Jesus as Lord and believing in His resurrection leads to salvation, a message meant for all people, regardless of background. He stresses the importance of hearing the Word of God, as faith comes through hearing, and thus, the necessity of evangelization to spread this message.
The Gospel from Matthew illustrates this call to discipleship through the story of Jesus calling Peter, Andrew, James, and John. These fishermen, upon hearing Jesus’ invitation, immediately left their nets to follow Him, demonstrating a radical and prompt response to God’s call. Their willingness to leave behind their livelihoods exemplifies the transformative power of faith and the commitment required to follow Christ.
These readings remind us that our faith journey begins with hearing the Word of God and responding with openness and courage. Just as the disciples left their nets, we too are called to let go of our attachments and follow Jesus wholeheartedly. Moreover, we are reminded of our role in spreading the Gospel, ensuring that others can hear and respond to God’s call. May we embrace this call with the same immediacy and willingness as the disciples, living out our faith with conviction and sharing the Good News with the world.