Daily Readings - Sun Feb 09 2020
Isaiah
6Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?7Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?8Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward.9Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;10And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday:
1 Corinthians
1And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.2For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.3And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.4And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:5That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
Matthew
13Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.14Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.15Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.16Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of true faith and how it should manifest in our lives. In the first reading from Isaiah, we are reminded that fasting is not just about abstaining from food but about living out our faith in tangible ways. Isaiah calls us to break free from the chains of injustice, to feed the hungry, and to shelter the homeless. This is the kind of fasting that pleases God—a fasting that leads to action, compassion, and justice. The prophet emphasizes that when we live in this way, our light will shine brightly, and God’s presence will be evident in our lives.
In the second reading, St. Paul humbly shares his approach to preaching the Gospel. He did not rely on eloquent words or human wisdom but instead focused on the power of the cross. Paul’s message was simple yet profound: the crucified Christ is the heart of our faith. He reminds us that our faith should not be rooted in human wisdom but in the power of God. This reading challenges us to trust in God’s wisdom rather than our own and to proclaim the Gospel with humility and sincerity.
In the Gospel, Jesus uses the metaphors of salt and light to describe the role of his followers in the world. Just as salt enhances flavor and light illuminates darkness, we are called to make a positive impact in the world around us. Jesus warns us against losing our saltiness or hiding our light. Instead, we are to let our good works shine so that others may see the goodness of God and glorify Him. This teaching reminds us that our faith is not just a private matter but something that should influence and transform the world.
These readings are interconnected in their call to live out our faith authentically. Isaiah emphasizes the importance of living justly and compassionately, Paul highlights the simplicity and power of the Gospel, and Jesus challenges us to be agents of transformation in the world. Together, they remind us that our faith should be visible in our actions, our words, and our commitment to justice and love. As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: How am I living out my faith? Am I a source of light and salt in my community? Let us strive to live in such a way that God’s presence is evident in our lives, and His love shines through us to a world in need.