Daily Readings - Sun Nov 27 2022
Isaiah
1The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.2And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.3And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.4And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.5O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the LORD.
Romans
11And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.12The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.13Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.14But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
Matthew
37But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.38For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,39And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.40Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.41Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.42Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.43But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.44Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of preparation, vigilance, and the ultimate hope of God’s kingdom. In the first reading from Isaiah, we hear a vision of a future where all nations stream to the mountain of the Lord, where swords are beaten into plowshares and peace reigns. This is not just a distant dream but a call to live in a way that anticipates and reflects this reality. Isaiah’s prophecy reminds us that God’s plan is one of unity and harmony, and we are called to walk in the light of the Lord.
The second reading from Romans and the Gospel of Matthew amplify this call to readiness. Paul urges us to cast aside the works of darkness and live as children of the light, for our salvation is near. Jesus, in Matthew’s Gospel, warns us to stay vigilant, comparing the coming of the Son of Man to the days of Noah—when people were caught off guard by the flood. Just as Noah was prepared, we too must be prepared for the Lord’s return. This is not about fear but about living with purpose and intentionality, trusting that God’s timing is perfect.
These readings remind us that our daily lives are an opportunity to reflect God’s kingdom. We are called to live honestly, to love without envy or contention, and to be clothed in Christ. In a world often marked by division and conflict, we are to be signs of hope, living in a way that anticipates the peace and unity God promises. Let us approach each day with gratitude and vigilance, knowing that we are not only preparing for the future but also living out the kingdom of God in the present.