Daily Readings - Fri Dec 16 2022
Isaiah
1Thus saith the LORD, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed.2Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil.3Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree.6Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant;7Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.8The Lord GOD which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him.
John
16And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.17But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.33Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth.34But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved.35He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.36But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful messages of inclusion, justice, and the ongoing work of God. The first reading from Isaiah speaks to a community returning from exile, urging them to live justly and to remember that God’s house is a house of prayer for all peoples. Isaiah emphasizes that no one should feel excluded from God’s people—neither the foreigner nor the eunuch—because God’s covenant is open to all who keep the Sabbath and hold fast to His covenant. This vision of an inclusive community challenges the Israelites to move beyond their narrow understandings of who belongs.
In the Gospel, Jesus defends His work on the Sabbath, explaining that His Father is always working, and so is He. Jesus references John the Baptist as a witness to the truth, but He also points to His own works as testimony to His divine mission. This exchange highlights the tension between Jesus and the religious leaders, who were scandalized by His actions. Yet, Jesus’ words invite us to see beyond the strictures of human tradition and to recognize the active presence of God in the world.
These readings remind us that our faith is not confined to narrow rules or boundaries. Like Isaiah’s vision of an inclusive community, and like Jesus’ insistence that God’s work knows no rest, we are called to live in a way that reflects God’s justice, mercy, and love. In our daily lives, this means embracing those who feel excluded, standing up for what is right, and recognizing that God is always at work—even in unexpected ways. Let us open our hearts to the breadth of God’s vision and allow His Spirit to guide us in living as His people.