Daily Readings - Sat Dec 07 2019
Isaiah
19For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem: thou shalt weep no more: he will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when he shall hear it, he will answer thee.20And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers:21And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.23Then shall he give the rain of thy seed, that thou shalt sow the ground withal; and bread of the increase of the earth, and it shall be fat and plenteous: in that day shall thy cattle feed in large pastures.24The oxen likewise and the young asses that ear the ground shall eat clean provender, which hath been winnowed with the shovel and with the fan.25And there shall be upon every high mountain, and upon every high hill, rivers and streams of waters in the day of the great slaughter, when the towers fall.26Moreover the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the light of seven days, in the day that the LORD bindeth up the breach of his people, and healeth the stroke of their wound.
Matthew
35And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.36But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.37Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;38Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
1And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.5These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:6But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.7And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.8Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound visions of God's compassion and our role within His plan. The prophet Isaiah paints a vivid picture of a restored Israel, where God's people live in abundance and guidance, free from sorrow. This vision is not just a promise of material prosperity but a spiritual renewal, where God's presence is palpable, and His people are led with wisdom and care. In contrast, Matthew's Gospel presents Jesus, moved by compassion for the crowds who are like sheep without a shepherd. Recognizing their spiritual hunger, Jesus calls His disciples to be laborers in a bountiful harvest, entrusted with the mission to heal, preach, and bring hope to those in need.
These readings are deeply connected, as both highlight God's compassionate heart and the responsibility of His followers to act. Isaiah's prophecy of restoration finds its fulfillment in the ministry of Jesus and the church. Just as God promised to guide and provide for His people, Jesus commissions His disciples to continue this work of compassion and restoration. The connection reminds us that God's plan is both timeless and timely, requiring active participation from His people.
In our daily lives, these readings call us to trust in God's providence and to embody His compassion. Like the disciples, we are called to step out in faith, serving others and sharing the Good News. The moral lesson here is clear: compassion is not passive but active, requiring us to reach out and make a difference. As we navigate our own challenges, may we find strength in God's promise of guidance and may we, like Jesus, be moved to serve others with love and compassion.