Daily Readings - Wed Nov 30 2022
Romans
9That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.10For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.11For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.12For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.13For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.14How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?15And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!16But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?17So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.18But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.
Matthew
18And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.19And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.20And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.21And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.22And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are reminded of the power of faith and the call to follow Christ. The first reading from Romans emphasizes that salvation comes through confessing Jesus as Lord and believing in His resurrection. Paul highlights that faith is not limited to any particular group but is universal, available to all who hear and respond to the Word of God. He also underscores the importance of preaching and hearing the Gospel, for it is through this that faith is born. The Gospel from Matthew illustrates this beautifully as Jesus calls His first disciples—Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John. Without hesitation, they leave their nets and their livelihoods behind to follow Him, demonstrating a radical trust in His call.
The connection between the readings lies in the theme of hearing and responding to God’s Word. In Romans, Paul explains that faith comes from hearing, and in Matthew, the disciples hear Jesus’ call and act immediately. This highlights the importance of being attentive to God’s voice and being willing to take steps of faith, even when it requires sacrifice. The disciples’ prompt response shows that true discipleship involves surrender and trust, not just intellectual assent.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: Am I truly listening to God’s Word in my life? Am I willing to respond with the same courage and trust as the disciples? Following Christ may not always be easy, but it is in surrendering our plans and desires to Him that we find true purpose and fulfillment. Let us pray for the grace to hear His voice clearly and to follow Him without hesitation, trusting that He will guide us to a life of abundant joy and service.