Daily Readings - Thu Nov 30 2017
First Reading - Romans 10.9-18
Romans
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.
Gospel - Matthew 4.18-22
Matthew
And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.
Sermon
The readings today remind us of the fundamental call to faith and the universal mission of spreading the Gospel. In the first reading from Romans, St. Paul emphasizes that salvation comes through confessing Jesus as Lord and believing in the resurrection. He underscores the importance of hearing the Word of God, for faith comes through hearing, and hearing comes through the preaching of Christ. Paul also highlights the unity of all people before God, regardless of background, for the same Lord is rich in mercy to all who call upon him. This passage serves as a powerful reminder of the necessity of sharing the Good News, for how can people believe if they have not heard, and how can they hear if no one preaches?
The Gospel from Matthew illustrates this call to mission through the story of the first disciples. Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, calls Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John. These ordinary fishermen, engaged in their daily work, immediately leave everything behind to follow him. Their response is swift and total, trusting in the Lord’s promise to make them “fishers of men.” This scene highlights the radical nature of discipleship, which requires letting go of worldly attachments and trusting in God’s plan. Just as the apostles were called to spread the Gospel, we too are called to share Christ’s message in our own lives.
These readings challenge us to reflect on our own response to God’s call. Like the apostles, we are invited to trust in the Lord’s promise and step out in faith, even when it requires sacrifice. St. Paul’s words remind us that faith is not just a personal relationship but also a call to evangelize. In our daily lives, we can apply this by being open to sharing the Gospel with others, whether through our words or our actions. Let us ask ourselves: Am I truly living as a disciple of Christ? Am I willing to let go of my own “nets” and follow him wherever he leads? May we, like the apostles, respond with courage and generosity to the call to follow Jesus and to spread his message of love and salvation to the world.