Daily Readings - Tue Mar 03 2020
Isaiah
10For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:11So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
Matthew
7But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.8Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.9After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.10Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.11Give us this day our daily bread.12And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.14For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:15But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful messages about trust and communication with God. The first reading from Isaiah 55:10-11 uses the imagery of rain and snow to illustrate the effectiveness of God's word. Just as these elements nourish the earth and bring forth life, God's word accomplishes its purpose without returning void. This passage, set against the backdrop of Israel's hope for restoration, reminds us of the reliability and fruitfulness of God's promises.
The Gospel from Matthew 6:7-15 shifts our focus to prayer. Jesus teaches the disciples to pray with sincerity, using the Lord's Prayer as a model. He emphasizes that God knows our needs before we ask, urging us to avoid the empty repetitions of the pagans. The prayer teaches us to seek holiness, God's will, daily bread, forgiveness, and protection from evil. Jesus underscores the importance of forgiveness, warning that our ability to forgive others affects how God forgives us.
These readings intertwine themes of trust and sincerity. Isaiah assures us that God's word is trustworthy, while Matthew's Gospel calls us to trust in God's provision and to approach Him with genuine hearts. In our daily lives, this means trusting God's plan, praying sincerely, and embracing forgiveness. The moral lesson is clear: deepen your trust in God, communicate with Him authentically, and live out your faith through forgiveness and reliance on His goodness.