Daily Readings - Tue Mar 08 2022
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
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.