Daily Readings - Mon Dec 02 2019
Isaiah
2In that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel.3And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem:4When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning.5And the LORD will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defence.6And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain.
Matthew
5And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him,6And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.7And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.8The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.9For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.10When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.11And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.13And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful visions of God's presence and promise. The first, from Isaiah, paints a vivid picture of a restored Zion, where God's people are purified and protected under a divine tabernacle. This passage, written during a time of turmoil, offers hope for a future where God's glory will shine forth, and His people will find refuge and joy. The tabernacle symbolizes God's enduring presence and protection, a sanctuary from life's storms.
The Gospel from Matthew shifts our focus to the present, as Jesus encounters a centurion whose servant is ill. The centurion's remarkable faith—recognizing Jesus' authority and humility—leads to a miraculous healing. This story highlights the universality of God's kingdom, where even those outside the Jewish community can find inclusion through faith. Jesus' response underscores that faith transcends boundaries, inviting many from all directions to partake in the heavenly feast.
These readings remind us that faith is our gateway to God's grace and healing. Like the centurion, we are called to trust in God's plan, even when circumstances seem uncertain. The tabernacle in Isaiah and Jesus' presence in Matthew both symbolize God's abiding refuge. In our daily lives, we can find strength in this assurance, knowing that through faith, we are part of a kingdom that embraces all people. Let us, therefore, approach God with humility and trust, seeking His healing and presence in our lives, and welcoming others into this universal feast of faith.