Daily Readings - Wed Dec 06 2017
First Reading - Isaiah 25.6-10a
Isaiah
And in this mountain shall the LORD of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined.And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over all nations.He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it.And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.For in this mountain shall the hand of the LORD rest, and Moab shall be trodden down under him, even as straw is trodden down for the dunghill.
Gospel - Matthew 15.29-37
Matthew
And Jesus departed from thence, and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee; and went up into a mountain, and sat down there.And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus' feet; and he healed them:Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude?And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes.And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground.And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on God’s abundant love and care for His people. In the first reading from Isaiah, we hear a beautiful vision of a feast on Mount Zion, where God will wipe away tears, remove disgrace, and destroy death forever. This passage, written during a time of distress for the people of Israel, offers hope and assurance of a future where God will gather all nations to Himself, providing for their needs and ending suffering. It is a powerful reminder of God’s promise to save and restore His people.
In the Gospel, we see this promise unfolding in the life of Jesus. Matthew describes how Jesus, moved by compassion, feeds a great multitude with just seven loaves and a few fish. This miracle not only satisfies the physical hunger of the people but also reveals Jesus as the fulfillment of Isaiah’s vision. Just as God promised to provide for His people on Mount Zion, Jesus provides for those who come to Him, showing His divine power and care for both body and soul. The leftovers, filling seven baskets, symbolize the abundance of God’s grace and the completeness of His provision.
These readings call us to trust in God’s providence and to live with compassion and generosity. Like the disciples who doubted how they could feed such a large crowd, we often feel inadequate in the face of life’s challenges. Yet, Jesus shows us that even the smallest resources, when entrusted to Him, can accomplish great things. Let us ask for the faith to see God’s hand at work in our lives and to share His love with others, especially those in need. May we, like the people in today’s readings, exult in God’s salvation and rejoice in His abundant love.