Daily Catholic Mass Readings for March 11, 2025
First Reading: Isaiah 55.10-11
10"For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,11so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
Psalm 34
1I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.2My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad.3Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together!4I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.5Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.6This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him and saved him out of all his troubles.7The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.8Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!9Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack!10The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.11Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.12What man is there who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good?13Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.14Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.15The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry.16The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth.17When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.18The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.19Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.20He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken.21Affliction will slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.22The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.
Gospel: Matthew 6.7-15
7"And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.9Pray then like this: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.10Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.11Give us this day our daily bread,12and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.14For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you,15but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are reminded of the power of God’s word and the simplicity of prayer. The first reading from Isaiah uses the imagery of rain and snow to describe how God’s word descends upon the earth, nurturing it and bringing forth life. Just as the earth cannot resist the nourishment of the rain, neither can the human heart resist the transformative power of God’s word when it is received with openness and faith. Isaiah’s prophecy speaks to a people in exile, offering them hope that God’s word will not return empty but will accomplish its purpose of renewal and restoration.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches us how to pray with sincerity and trust. He warns against the temptation to use many words, as if the quantity of our prayers might impress God. Instead, Jesus offers the Lord’s Prayer, a model of simplicity and depth. This prayer is not just a formula but a way of life. It calls us to reverence God’s name, to seek His will, to trust in His provision, and to embrace forgiveness. Jesus emphasizes that our prayers are heard not because of their length or complexity, but because of the sincerity of our hearts and our willingness to forgive others as we ask for forgiveness.
These readings invite us to reflect on how we approach prayer and God’s word in our daily lives. Like the rain that waters the earth, God’s word can bring life and fruitfulness to our souls if we allow it to take root. Similarly, our prayers should be genuine and heartfelt, trusting in God’s goodness and wisdom. Let us ask ourselves: Do we approach prayer with the same faith and simplicity that Jesus teaches? Do we allow God’s word to shape our lives and guide our actions? May we learn to pray with the confidence that our Father knows what we need, and may we embrace the grace of forgiveness that makes our prayers fruitful.