Daily Catholic Mass Readings for December 14, 2018
First Reading: Isaiah 48.17-19
17Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.18O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea:19Thy seed also had been as the sand, and the offspring of thy bowels like the gravel thereof; his name should not have been cut off nor destroyed from before me.
Psalm 1
1Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.2But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.3And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.4The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.5Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.6For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
Gospel: Matthew 11.16-19
16But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows,17And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented.18For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.19The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are invited to reflect on the themes of guidance, wisdom, and the challenges of living a life faithful to God’s call. The first reading from Isaiah reminds us that God is our Redeemer and Teacher, who guides us on the path of life. The prophet laments that if only the people had listened to God’s commandments, they would have experienced peace and justice in abundance. This passage emphasizes the importance of obedience and trust in God’s plan, which leads to flourishing and enduring legacy.
The Gospel from Matthew presents a different yet complementary perspective. Jesus compares the current generation to children in a marketplace, highlighting their inconsistency and refusal to respond to God’s messengers. John the Baptist and Jesus himself faced criticism—John for his austerity and Jesus for his openness to sinners and tax collectors. Yet, Jesus affirms that wisdom is vindicated by those who embrace it. This passage challenges us to consider how we respond to God’s call and whether we allow ourselves to be guided by His wisdom, even when it meets resistance or misunderstanding.
These readings call us to examine our own response to God’s guidance in our lives. Like the people in Isaiah’s time, we are often tempted to ignore or dismiss God’s commandments, thinking we know better. Like the generation criticized by Jesus, we may find excuses to reject the messengers of God’s truth. Yet, the readings assure us that God’s wisdom is justified by those who live it out. Let us strive to be among those who listen, obey, and trust in God’s plan, even when it is challenging. May we allow His wisdom to guide us, bringing peace and justice to our lives and to the world around us.