Daily Catholic Mass Readings for March 8, 2022
First Reading: Isaiah 55.10-11
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.
Psalm 34
1I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.2My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.3O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.4I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.5They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.6This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.7The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.8O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.9O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.10The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.11Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.12What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?13Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.14Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.15The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.16The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.17The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.18The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.19Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.20He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.21Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.22The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.
Gospel: Matthew 6.7-15
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
The readings today invite us to reflect on the power of God's word and the nature of prayer. In the first reading from Isaiah, we hear a beautiful metaphor about the reliability of God’s word. Just as the rain and snow bring life to the earth, so too does God’s word accomplish its purpose and bring fruitfulness to those who receive it. This passage, written during a time of hope for the Israelites in exile, reminds us that God’s word is always effective and life-giving, even when we can’t see the results immediately.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches us about prayer. He warns against using many words, as if quantity would make prayer more effective. Instead, He teaches us the Lord’s Prayer, a simple yet profound prayer that reflects our dependence on God and our desire for His will to be done. The prayer also emphasizes the importance of forgiveness: asking God to forgive us as we forgive others. This teaching is central to Christian living, as it reminds us that our relationship with God is deeply tied to our relationships with others.
Together, these readings invite us to trust in God’s word and to approach prayer with simplicity and trust. They remind us that our words to God don’t need to be elaborate, but they must be sincere. As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: Am I trusting in God’s word and its power in my life? Am I praying with simplicity and trust? And am I forgiving others as I seek forgiveness from God? Let us strive to live out these teachings, trusting in God’s plan and seeking to live in harmony with His will.