Daily Readings - Tue Mar 11 2025
Isaiah
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.
Matthew
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.