Daily Catholic Mass Readings for March 12, 2019
First Reading: Isaiah 55.10-11
10For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:11So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
Psalm 34
1I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.2My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.3O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.4I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.5They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.6This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.7The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.8O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.9O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.10The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.11Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.12What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?13Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.14Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.15The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.16The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.17The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.18The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.19Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.20He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.21Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.22The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.
Gospel: Matthew 6.7-15
7But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.8Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.9After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.10Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.11Give us this day our daily bread.12And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.14For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:15But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the power of God’s word and the simplicity of prayer. In the first reading from Isaiah, we hear a beautiful metaphor: just as rain and snow water the earth and bring forth life, so too does God’s word accomplish its purpose in the world. It does not return empty but brings fruit, whether it is seed for the sower or bread for the hungry. This passage reminds us that God’s word is not just a distant promise but an active force that shapes and transforms creation.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches us how to pray. He warns against the kind of prayer that relies on many words, as if God’s attention depends on our verbosity. Instead, Jesus offers the simple and profound prayer we know as the Our Father. This prayer is not about reciting formulas but about trusting in God’s providence. It emphasizes forgiveness as a central part of our relationship with God and with one another. Jesus makes it clear that our willingness to forgive others is directly tied to God’s forgiveness of us. This teaching challenges us to let go of grudges and to approach prayer with humility and trust.
These readings are connected by the theme of trust in God’s plan and God’s word. Isaiah assures us that God’s word is fruitful and reliable, while Jesus teaches us to approach prayer with simplicity and openness. Together, they remind us that our relationship with God is not about our own efforts or words but about trusting in His love and mercy. In our daily lives, this means turning to God’s word for guidance and approaching prayer with sincerity, not just repeating formulas. It also means living out the call to forgive others, knowing that this is how we experience God’s forgiveness in our own lives. Let us strive to trust in God’s word and to pray with the humility and simplicity that Jesus teaches.