Daily Readings - Sun Jan 12 2020
Isaiah
1Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.2He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street.3A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.4He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law.6I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;7To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.
Acts
34Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:35But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.36The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)37That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;38How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
Matthew
13Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.14But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?15And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.16And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:17And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of justice, equality, and the universal call to holiness. In the first reading from Isaiah, we encounter a prophecy about God’s servant, who will bring light and justice to the world. This servant is not one who will break the bruised reed or extinguish the smoldering wick; instead, he will lead with gentleness and compassion, ensuring that even the most vulnerable are not overlooked. This passage sets the stage for understanding Jesus as the fulfillment of this prophecy, the one who embodies God’s justice and mercy.
In the second reading from Acts, Peter proclaims that God does not show favoritism, and that anyone who fears God and works justice is acceptable to him. This is a powerful reminder of the universality of God’s love and the call to live a life of integrity and compassion. Peter’s words echo the message of Isaiah, emphasizing that God’s plan of salvation is not limited to a chosen few but is open to all people. This reading challenges us to examine our own biases and prejudices, urging us to see everyone through the lens of God’s love.
The Gospel reading from Matthew recounts the baptism of Jesus, a moment that reveals the profound unity of the Trinity. As Jesus emerges from the water, the heavens open, the Spirit descends like a dove, and the Father’s voice affirms Jesus as his beloved Son. This scene is not just a moment of revelation for Jesus but also for us. It reminds us that our baptism is a call to live as beloved children of God, to embrace our mission to bring light and justice to the world, and to do so with humility and compassion. Just as Jesus fulfilled all justice by being baptized, we too are called to fulfill our own calling by living lives of integrity, love, and service.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: How do we embody the justice and mercy of God in our daily lives? How do we ensure that we do not overlook the vulnerable or exclude those who may seem different from us? Let us remember that we are all called to be lights in the darkness, bringing hope and healing to a world in need. May we, like Jesus, fulfill our mission with humility and love, trusting in the power of the Holy Spirit to guide us.