Daily Readings - Thu Dec 07 2017
First Reading - Isaiah 26.1-6
Isaiah
1In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah; We have a strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks.2Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in.3Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.4Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:5For he bringeth down them that dwell on high; the lofty city, he layeth it low; he layeth it low, even to the ground; he bringeth it even to the dust.6The foot shall tread it down, even the feet of the poor, and the steps of the needy.
Gospel - Matthew 7.21, 24-27
Matthew
21Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.24Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:25And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.26And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:27And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful messages about trust, justice, and the importance of living out our faith. The first reading from Isaiah paints a vivid picture of a secure future for those who trust in God, where justice prevails and the oppressed are lifted up. The prophet describes a city of strength, Zion, where the gates of truth and justice are open to all. This vision is not just a distant hope but a call to trust in God’s providence, especially in uncertain times. Isaiah reminds us that true peace comes from hoping in God and doing His will, which leads to a life of stability and security.
In the Gospel, Jesus emphasizes the importance of putting faith into action. He teaches that merely calling Him “Lord” is not enough; true discipleship requires doing the will of the Father. Jesus illustrates this with the parable of the two builders—one wise and one foolish. The wise builder, who hears Jesus’ words and acts on them, constructs his house on a rock, symbolizing a life grounded in faith and obedience. This house withstands the storms of life, representing the challenges and temptations we all face. On the other hand, the foolish builder, who hears but does not act, builds on sand, leading to ruin when the storms come. Jesus is clear: a life of faith is one that is lived out in action, not just in words.
These readings remind us that our faith must be rooted in trust and lived out in concrete actions. Like the wise builder, we are called to build our lives on the solid foundation of God’s Word. This means not only listening to His teachings but also putting them into practice in our daily lives. As Isaiah suggests, this leads to a life of peace and justice, where the poor and the marginalized are uplifted. In a world filled with uncertainty, let us turn to God with trust, and let us build our lives on the rock of His truth. May our actions reflect our faith, and may we be instruments of His justice and peace in the world.