Daily Readings - Sat Dec 07 2024
Isaiah
19For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem: thou shalt weep no more: he will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when he shall hear it, he will answer thee.20And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers:21And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.23Then shall he give the rain of thy seed, that thou shalt sow the ground withal; and bread of the increase of the earth, and it shall be fat and plenteous: in that day shall thy cattle feed in large pastures.24The oxen likewise and the young asses that ear the ground shall eat clean provender, which hath been winnowed with the shovel and with the fan.25And there shall be upon every high mountain, and upon every high hill, rivers and streams of waters in the day of the great slaughter, when the towers fall.26Moreover the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the light of seven days, in the day that the LORD bindeth up the breach of his people, and healeth the stroke of their wound.
Matthew
35And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.36But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.37Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;38Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
1And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.5These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:6But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.7And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.8Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound messages of hope, compassion, and mission. The prophet Isaiah paints a vivid picture of a restored Jerusalem, where God's people live in peace and prosperity, guided by His wisdom. This vision is not just a distant dream but a promise of renewal and healing, where the land is fertile, and the people are led by compassionate teachers. Isaiah's words remind us of God's enduring love and His plan to restore all things.
In the Gospel, Jesus embodies this divine compassion. As He travels through the cities and towns, He sees the crowds as sheep without a shepherd—vulnerable and in need of guidance. Moved by their distress, He calls on His disciples to pray for more laborers to join in the harvest of souls. Jesus then empowers His disciples, sending them out to preach, heal, and bring hope to those who have wandered away. This mission is not just for the disciples of old; it is a call to each of us to share in the work of bringing God's love to a world in need.
These readings invite us to reflect on our role in God's plan. Just as Isaiah looked forward to a time of restoration and Jesus called His disciples to action, we too are called to be instruments of healing and hope. In our daily lives, we can embody this mission by offering a listening ear, a comforting word, or a helping hand. Let us pray for the grace to see the needs of those around us and to respond with the same compassion and courage that Jesus showed. May we trust in God's plan and be faithful laborers in His harvest, bringing light and love to a world that so desperately needs it.