Daily Readings - Sun Nov 29 2020
Isaiah
16Doubtless thou art our father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not: thou, O LORD, art our father, our redeemer; thy name is from everlasting.17O LORD, why hast thou made us to err from thy ways, and hardened our heart from thy fear? Return for thy servants' sake, the tribes of thine inheritance.
1Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence,3When thou didst terrible things which we looked not for, thou camest down, the mountains flowed down at thy presence.4For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.5Thou meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh righteousness, those that remember thee in thy ways: behold, thou art wroth; for we have sinned: in those is continuance, and we shall be saved.6But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.7And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee: for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities.8But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.
1 Corinthians
3Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.4I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;5That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;6Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:7So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:8Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.9God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
Mark
33Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.34For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.35Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:36Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.37And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of longing, grace, and vigilance. In the first reading from Isaiah, we hear the prophet’s heartfelt cry to God, expressing a deep yearning for divine intervention. The people acknowledge their sinfulness and the ways they have strayed from God’s path, yet they hold onto the hope of redemption. Isaiah reminds us that even in our brokenness, God remains our Father and Maker, and we are His beloved creation. The reading from 1 Corinthians shifts our focus to the grace of God, which has been abundantly poured out in Christ. Paul thanks God for the spiritual gifts bestowed upon the Corinthian community, emphasizing that they lack nothing as they await the return of the Lord. This passage encourages us to trust in God’s faithfulness and to live with gratitude for the blessings we have received. Finally, in the Gospel, Jesus calls us to vigilance. Using the parable of the absent master, He reminds us that we must always be ready, for we do not know when the Lord will return. This teaching challenges us to live with purpose and attentiveness, mindful of our ultimate calling.
These readings are deeply connected. Isaiah’s cry for God’s presence and Paul’s thanksgiving for God’s grace both point to the reality of our dependence on God. While Isaiah expresses the pain of separation, Paul highlights the joy of union with Christ. Together, they remind us that our relationship with God is one of both repentance and gratitude. The Gospel then calls us to live this relationship with intentionality. Jesus’ command to “be vigilant” is not about fear but about fidelity. It invites us to stay awake to God’s presence in our lives and to remain prepared to meet Him, whether in the quiet moments of prayer or in the challenges of daily life.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: How do we cultivate vigilance in our lives? It begins with prayer, for prayer keeps us attentive to God’s voice and open to His will. It also requires humility, acknowledging our sinfulness and trusting in God’s mercy. Finally, it demands gratitude, recognizing the grace that has been given to us and living in a way that reflects our thanksgiving. May we, like the Corinthians, be strengthened by God’s faithfulness and remain steadfast as we await the day of the Lord. Let us not grow complacent but instead live each day with purpose, knowing that we are called to be His faithful servants, ready to welcome Him whenever He comes.