Daily Readings - Tue Dec 06 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.6The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field:7The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass.8The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.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.
Matthew
12How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?13And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.14Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful messages of hope, redemption, and God's enduring love. The first reading from Isaiah offers a vision of consolation and transformation. The prophet speaks to a people in exile, promising that their suffering will end and that God's glory will be revealed. He uses vivid imagery—valleys being lifted and mountains lowered—to convey that God will prepare a way for His people, ensuring a smooth path for their return. Isaiah also reminds us of the transient nature of human life, likening it to grass and flowers that wither, but contrasts this with the eternal Word of God, which endures forever.
The Gospel from Matthew complements this message with the parable of the lost sheep. Jesus teaches that the shepherd, representing God, goes to great lengths to find the one lost sheep, rejoicing more over its return than over the ninety-nine that remained safe. This emphasizes God's deep care for each individual, especially those who feel lost or marginalized. Together, the readings highlight God's active role in seeking and saving His people, whether through the prophetic call to prepare the way or the shepherd's relentless pursuit of the lost.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to trust in God's plan and to reflect His compassionate heart. Just as Isaiah called the people to hope and preparation, we are urged to trust in God's promises, even in uncertain times. Like the shepherd, we are called to reach out to those around us who may feel lost or forgotten, embodying God's mercy and love. The moral lesson here is clear: God's love is both eternal and personal, and we are all called to participate in His work of redemption and care. Let us, therefore, open our hearts to His Word and allow His Spirit to guide us in living out His love in the world.