Daily Readings - Mon Dec 02 2024
Isaiah
1The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.2It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be lifted up above the hills; and all the nations shall flow to it,3and many peoples shall come, and say: "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths." For out of Zion shall go the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.4He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.5O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD.
Matthew
5When he entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him,6"Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly."7And he said to him, "I will come and heal him."8But the centurion replied, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed.9For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes, and to another, 'Come,' and he comes, and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."10When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, "Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith.11I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven,13And to the centurion Jesus said, "Go; let it be done for you as you have believed." And the servant was healed at that very moment.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful visions of God's universal plan for humanity. The First Reading from Isaiah paints a serene picture of a future where all nations gather at the mountain of the Lord's house, seeking His ways and walking in His paths. This vision emphasizes a world where swords are turned into plowshares, symbolizing peace and unity under God's rule. It invites us to approach and walk in the light of the Lord, embracing His law and word.
The Gospel from Matthew shifts our focus to a specific moment of faith and humility. A Roman centurion, a Gentile, approaches Jesus with a request to heal his servant. Despite his position of authority, the centurion acknowledges his unworthiness and trusts in Jesus' power to heal with just a word. Jesus, moved by this remarkable faith, not only heals the servant but also uses the occasion to highlight that many from all directions will come to share in the kingdom of heaven. This story underscores that faith can emerge from unexpected places and that God's grace extends to all people.
Reflecting on these readings, we are reminded of the inclusive nature of God's plan. Isaiah's vision and the centurion's faith teach us to embrace humility and trust in God's universal love. In our daily lives, we should remain open to recognizing faith in others, regardless of their background, and seek to live in harmony, trusting in God's word and His promise of peace. Let us strive to walk in the light of the Lord, allowing His grace to transform us and our world.