Daily Readings - Sun Aug 25 2019
Isaiah
18For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory.19And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles.20And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the LORD out of all nations upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the LORD, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the LORD.21And I will also take of them for priests and for Levites, saith the LORD.
Hebrews
5And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:6For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.7If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?11Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.12Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;13And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.
Luke
22And he went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem.23Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,24Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.25When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:26Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.27But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.28There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.29And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.30And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.
Sermon
In today's readings, we are reminded of God's universal invitation and the commitment required to follow His path. Isaiah envisions a future where all nations are gathered together, emphasizing God's inclusive plan for salvation. This vision is not just a distant hope but a call to action, urging us to embrace the diversity of God's people and recognize the universal scope of His mercy.
Hebrews complements this by discussing the role of discipline in our spiritual journey. It highlights that trials and challenges, though difficult, are part of God's loving plan to refine us. This discipline helps us grow in holiness and perseverance, essential for staying on the narrow path Jesus speaks about in Luke.
In Luke's Gospel, Jesus emphasizes the urgency of entering through the narrow gate, warning that not all who think they are included will be. This serves as a call to sincerity and commitment in our faith, reminding us that true discipleship requires dedication and a willingness to live according to God's will.
As we reflect on these readings, we are challenged to live our faith with sincerity and perseverance. We must remain open to the universal call of God's love while enduring trials with patience, knowing they strengthen our character. Let us strive to walk the narrow path with commitment, ensuring our actions reflect our faith. The moral lesson here is clear: God's invitation is universal, but it demands our dedicated response, lived out in love and perseverance.