Daily Readings - Sun Feb 05 2023
Isaiah
6Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?7Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?8Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward.9Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;10And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday:
1 Corinthians
1And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.2For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.3And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.4And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:5That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
Matthew
13Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.14Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.15Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.16Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are invited to reflect on the nature of true faith and how it should manifest in our lives. The first reading from Isaiah calls us to a fast that is not just about abstaining from food, but about living out our faith in tangible ways—freeing the oppressed, feeding the hungry, and clothing the naked. Isaiah emphasizes that when we live in such a way, our light will shine forth, and God’s presence will be evident in our lives. This passage reminds us that our faith is not just about personal piety but about transforming the world around us.
The second reading from 1 Corinthians complements this message. Paul humbly acknowledges that his preaching was not based on human wisdom or eloquence but on the power of the Spirit. He emphasizes that true faith is rooted in the cross of Christ, and it is the power of God, not human effort, that transforms hearts. This reading challenges us to trust in God’s grace rather than our own abilities and to seek a faith that is simple, sincere, and Spirit-led.
In the Gospel, Jesus calls us to be salt and light in the world. He warns us that if we lose our saltiness or hide our light, we fail to fulfill our purpose. Jesus encourages us to let our good works shine so that others may see God’s glory through us. This passage reminds us that our faith is not meant to be hidden or passive; it should actively impact the world, bringing flavor and light to those around us.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: How am I living out my faith in a way that transforms the world? Am I trusting in God’s power, or am I relying on my own strength? Am I shining my light for others to see? May we be inspired to live with humility, trust in God’s grace, and let our faith be a source of hope and light in a world that so desperately needs it.