Daily Readings - Sun Aug 20 2023
Isaiah
1Thus saith the LORD, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed.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.
Romans
13For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:14If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.15For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?29For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.30For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:31Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.32For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
Matthew
21Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon.22And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.23But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.24But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.25Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.26But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs.27And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.28Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter a powerful theme of God’s universal plan and mercy for all people. The first reading from Isaiah speaks of a time when God’s house will be a place of prayer for all nations, emphasizing inclusion and the unity of God’s people. The second reading from Romans, written by Paul, highlights God’s plan to extend His mercy beyond Israel to the Gentiles, illustrating that His gifts and call are irrevocable. Finally, the Gospel from Matthew shares the story of a Canaanite woman who, through her persistence and faith, receives healing for her daughter, demonstrating Jesus’s mission expanding beyond the boundaries of Israel.
These readings, each from a different context, weave together a narrative of God’s inclusive love. Isaiah’s vision of a restored Israel open to all peoples reflects a post-exilic hope for renewal and inclusion. Paul’s letter to the Romans explains God’s plan to include the Gentiles, showing that His mercy is not limited to one group. The Gospel illustrates this inclusion in action, as Jesus, initially focused on Israel, responds to the faith of a non-Jewish woman, thus expanding His mission. Together, these readings reveal that God’s plan is not confined to any single group but is intended for all humanity.
In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to embrace diversity and extend compassion to everyone we meet. Just as the Canaanite woman’s faith opened her to God’s healing, our faith should lead us to trust in God’s universal plan. Let us strive to create an environment of inclusion and mercy, reflecting God’s love for all people. The moral lesson here is clear: our faith should inspire us to welcome others, just as God has welcomed us, trusting in His plan that transcends all boundaries.