Daily Readings - Thu Dec 05 2024
Isaiah
1In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah; We have a strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks.2Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in.3Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.4Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:5For he bringeth down them that dwell on high; the lofty city, he layeth it low; he layeth it low, even to the ground; he bringeth it even to the dust.6The foot shall tread it down, even the feet of the poor, and the steps of the needy.
Matthew
21Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.24Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:25And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.26And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:27And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the foundation of our faith and the trust we place in God. In the first reading from Isaiah, we hear a canticle of hope and trust in the Lord, who is described as the ultimate source of strength and salvation. The prophet speaks of a city secure in God’s protection, where the just and the poor find refuge. This passage reminds us that our true security lies not in human strength or earthly power but in the Lord, who bends down to the lowly and lifts them up. Isaiah’s words are a call to hope and perseverance, especially in times of uncertainty.
In the Gospel, Jesus emphasizes the importance of living out our faith in action. He warns that not everyone who claims to follow Him will enter the kingdom of heaven; only those who do the will of His Father. Jesus then illustrates this with the parable of the two builders—one wise and one foolish. The wise builder constructs his house on rock, symbolizing a life rooted in God’s teachings, while the foolish builder chooses sand, representing a life without a firm spiritual foundation. Jesus’ message is clear: our words and professions of faith mean little unless they are accompanied by deeds that reflect His will.
These readings remind us that faith must be lived out in trust and action. Like the wise builder, we must ground our lives in the teachings of Christ, allowing His words to shape our decisions and guide our actions. In a world that often values power and wealth, Isaiah’s vision of a humble and trusting people challenges us to prioritize the lowly and the marginalized. As we navigate the challenges of daily life, let us build our lives on the rock of God’s love and justice, trusting that He will see us through even the most turbulent storms. In doing so, we become not only hearers of the word but doers, living out the Gospel in a way that reflects the kingdom of heaven.