Daily Readings - Fri Dec 09 2022

Isaiah

17Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.18O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea:19Thy seed also had been as the sand, and the offspring of thy bowels like the gravel thereof; his name should not have been cut off nor destroyed from before me.

Matthew

16But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows,17And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented.18For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.19The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.

Sermon

In today’s readings, we hear two distinct yet interconnected messages from the books of Isaiah and Matthew. Isaiah speaks of God’s guidance and the promise of peace and justice for those who follow His commandments. The passage serves as a reminder of the blessings that come from obedience, contrasting with the consequences of neglecting God’s teachings. In Matthew, Jesus illustrates the fickleness of the human heart through a parable about indecisive children. He highlights the rejection of both John the Baptist and Himself, pointing out how people criticized John for his austerity and Jesus for His engagement with sinners. This passage underscores the challenge of recognizing and embracing wisdom, regardless of its form. Both readings emphasize the importance of responsiveness to God’s message. Isaiah’s context is one of redemption for the Israelites, urging them to follow God’s ways for the sake of peace and justice. Matthew’s context is Jesus addressing the crowds, expressing frustration over their inability to discern truth. Together, they remind us that God’s wisdom can come in various forms—sometimes through sacrifice, other times through engagement. The key is to remain open and receptive, avoiding the pitfalls of judgment and bias. In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to reflect on our own responsiveness to God’s will. We may often find ourselves critical or indecisive, much like the generation Jesus addressed. The moral lesson here is the importance of discernment and openness. By following God’s commandments and embracing His wisdom, we can find true peace and justice. Let us strive to be receptive to God’s message, whether it comes through sacrifice or engagement, and trust in His guidance to lead us towards a life of fulfillment and grace.