Daily Readings - Thu Nov 30 2017
Romans
9That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.10For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.11As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."12For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,13for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."14How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?15And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"16But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our message?"17Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.18But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did: "Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world."
Matthew
18As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.19"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."20At once they left their nets and followed him.21Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them,22and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
Sermon
The readings today remind us of the fundamental call to faith and the universal mission of spreading the Gospel. In the first reading from Romans, St. Paul emphasizes that salvation comes through confessing Jesus as Lord and believing in the resurrection. He underscores the importance of hearing the Word of God, for faith comes through hearing, and hearing comes through the preaching of Christ. Paul also highlights the unity of all people before God, regardless of background, for the same Lord is rich in mercy to all who call upon him. This passage serves as a powerful reminder of the necessity of sharing the Good News, for how can people believe if they have not heard, and how can they hear if no one preaches?
The Gospel from Matthew illustrates this call to mission through the story of the first disciples. Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, calls Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John. These ordinary fishermen, engaged in their daily work, immediately leave everything behind to follow him. Their response is swift and total, trusting in the Lord’s promise to make them “fishers of men.” This scene highlights the radical nature of discipleship, which requires letting go of worldly attachments and trusting in God’s plan. Just as the apostles were called to spread the Gospel, we too are called to share Christ’s message in our own lives.
These readings challenge us to reflect on our own response to God’s call. Like the apostles, we are invited to trust in the Lord’s promise and step out in faith, even when it requires sacrifice. St. Paul’s words remind us that faith is not just a personal relationship but also a call to evangelize. In our daily lives, we can apply this by being open to sharing the Gospel with others, whether through our words or our actions. Let us ask ourselves: Am I truly living as a disciple of Christ? Am I willing to let go of my own “nets” and follow him wherever he leads? May we, like the apostles, respond with courage and generosity to the call to follow Jesus and to spread his message of love and salvation to the world.