Daily Readings - Fri Dec 13 2024
Isaiah
17Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.18O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea:19Thy seed also had been as the sand, and the offspring of thy bowels like the gravel thereof; his name should not have been cut off nor destroyed from before me.
Matthew
16But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows,17And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented.18For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.19The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful messages that invite us to reflect on our relationship with God and our response to His call. The first reading from Isaiah reminds us that God is our Redeemer and Teacher, who guides us on the path of righteousness. The prophet laments that if only the people had listened to God’s commandments, they would have experienced peace and justice in abundance. Their descendants would have been countless, and their legacy would have endured. This passage speaks to the Israelites in exile, urging them to return to the Lord and trust in His plan for their restoration.
The Gospel from Matthew presents a different yet complementary perspective. Jesus compares the current generation to children in a marketplace, unable to decide whether to dance or mourn. He points out the hypocrisy of those who rejected John the Baptist for his austerity and then rejected Jesus for His openness and willingness to dine with sinners. Jesus’ critique highlights the tendency to judge others based on preconceived notions rather than seeking the truth. Yet, He assures us that wisdom is vindicated by those who embrace it.
These readings remind us that our response to God’s will is crucial. Isaiah calls us to heed God’s teachings and trust in His providence, while Matthew challenges us to embrace wisdom and not be swayed by the opinions of others. In our daily lives, we are often faced with choices that test our faith and discernment. Let us strive to listen to God’s voice, even when it challenges us, and to trust in His wisdom. May we seek to follow His path, knowing that true peace and justice flow from living according to His will.