Daily Readings - Sun Aug 24 2025

¹⁸For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory.¹⁹And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles.²⁰And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the LORD out of all nations upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the LORD, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the LORD.²¹And I will also take of them for priests and for Levites, saith the LORD.

Hebrews

Chapter 12

⁵And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:⁶For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.⁷If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?¹¹Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.¹²Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;¹³And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

Luke

Chapter 13

²²And he went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem.²³Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,²⁴Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.²⁵When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:²⁶Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.²⁷But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.²⁸There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.²⁹And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.³⁰And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.

Sermon

The readings today invite us to reflect on God’s universal call to salvation and the importance of living a life of faith, discipline, and perseverance. In the first reading from Isaiah, we hear of God’s plan to gather all nations and languages, sending forth those who have been saved to proclaim His glory to the ends of the earth. This passage emphasizes God’s desire to include everyone in His kingdom, highlighting the universal nature of salvation. It also reminds us that we, as believers, are called to be instruments of God’s grace, sharing His glory with others. The second reading from Hebrews provides a complementary message about the role of discipline in the Christian life. The author reminds us that God’s correction is a sign of His love, just as a father disciplines his children. While discipline may be uncomfortable in the moment, it ultimately leads to peace and justice. This teaching challenges us to embrace trials and difficulties as opportunities for growth, trusting that God is shaping us into the people He calls us to be. In the Gospel, Jesus emphasizes the urgency of entering through the narrow gate, warning that many will seek to enter the kingdom but will not be able. This passage is not meant to instill fear but to encourage us to examine our lives and ensure that we are living in accordance with God’s will. It reminds us that mere familiarity with God is not enough; we must actively strive to follow Him and live out our faith. The image of people coming from all directions to recline at table in the kingdom of God aligns with Isaiah’s vision of a universal gathering, reinforcing the idea that God’s salvation is for all people. These readings call us to live with purpose and intentionality. We are to embrace the discipline of faith, trusting that God’s correction and guidance are for our good. At the same time, we are to share God’s glory with others, recognizing that His kingdom is open to all. Let us strive to enter through the narrow gate, living lives of love, perseverance, and fidelity to God’s will. In doing so, we become part of the great gathering of all nations in God’s holy mountain, where we will feast together in His presence.