Daily Readings - Sun Aug 02 2020
Isaiah
1Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.2Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.3Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.
Romans
35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?37Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.38For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,39Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Matthew
13When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities.14And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.15And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals.16But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat.17And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.18He said, Bring them hither to me.19And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.20And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.21And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter a profound narrative of God's boundless love and provision. The First Reading from Isaiah invites us to seek spiritual nourishment, urging us to turn to God who offers abundance without cost. The Second Reading from Romans reassures us that no trial can separate us from God's love, highlighting an unbreakable bond. The Gospel presents Jesus feeding the 5000, a miracle that exemplifies divine provision and generosity.
Each reading, though from different contexts, weaves a tapestry of God's care. Isaiah, speaking to exiles, offers hope in spiritual renewal. Paul, in his letter, strengthens the faithful amidst persecution. Matthew's account of the feeding miracle shows Jesus addressing physical needs, demonstrating that God's love encompasses both body and soul. Together, they remind us of God's faithfulness in all aspects of life.
In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to trust in God's providence, especially in times of scarcity or uncertainty. Just as the disciples shared the little they had, we are called to generosity, trusting that our resources, however meager, can be multiplied. Let us remember that God's love endures through all trials, nurturing both our spirits and our lives. May we embrace this love and share it abundantly with others.