Daily Readings - Wed Dec 11 2024
Isaiah
25To whom then will you compare me, that I should be like him? says the Holy One.26Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name, by the greatness of his might, and because he is strong in power not one is missing.27Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, "My way is hidden from the LORD, and my right is disregarded by my God"?28Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.29He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.30Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted;31but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful messages of divine strength and compassion. The first reading from Isaiah 40:25-31 reminds us of God's incomparable power and His role as the creator who sustains the weary. Isaiah reassures the Israelites, exiled and disheartened, that God's strength is limitless and that He does not grow tired. This passage, part of the "Book of Consolation," is a beacon of hope, urging trust in God's providence and care.
The Gospel from Matthew 11:28-30 complements this message with Jesus' invitation to all who are burdened. Jesus, embodying God's compassion, offers rest to those overwhelmed by life's struggles. This teaching, part of Jesus' ministry, was a comfort to His disciples and the oppressed, emphasizing that following Him brings peace and lightens burdens. Together, these readings present a balanced view of God—as both the omnipotent creator and the gentle, humble Lord who offers rest.
In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to seek strength and rest in God. When we feel overwhelmed, we are reminded to trust in God's power and accept Jesus' invitation. This trust leads to humility and surrender, allowing us to find peace amidst challenges. The moral reflection here is one of trust and humility, urging us to recognize our limitations and turn to God for renewal and strength. Through this, we find spiritual rejuvenation and the courage to face life's journey with hope and resilience.