Daily Readings - Sun Jan 09 2022
Isaiah
1Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.2Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD'S hand double for all her sins.3The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.4Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:5And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.9O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!10Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.11He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.
Titus
11For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,12Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;13Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;14Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
4But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,5Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;6Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;7That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Luke
15And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not;16John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:21Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,22And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.
Sermon
The readings today weave together themes of preparation, grace, and divine love, guiding us to reflect on our spiritual journey. Isaiah 40 offers a message of hope and consolation, urging us to prepare our hearts for the Lord's coming, much like clearing a path through a wilderness. This prophecy not only foretells the Messiah's arrival but also calls us to spiritual readiness, emphasizing that God's glory will be revealed to all.
Titus 2 and 3 build on this by highlighting the transformative power of God's grace. We are instructed to live virtuous lives, not through our own efforts, but through the mercy and regeneration brought by the Holy Spirit. This grace renews us, making us heirs of eternal life, reminding us that our salvation is a gift, not something earned.
In Luke 3, the narrative shifts to the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy through John the Baptist and Jesus. John's humility and recognition of his role as a precursor to Jesus illustrate the importance of acknowledging our place in God's plan. Jesus' baptism, with the Holy Spirit descending like a dove, confirms His divine mission and God's pleasure in Him.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to embrace a life of preparation and openness to God's grace. Just as John prepared the way, we too can clear paths for the Lord in our hearts and communities. By living with humility and virtue, we reflect God's love and participate in His plan. The moral lesson is clear: trust in God's grace, prepare your heart, and live with hope, knowing His glory will be revealed in our lives.