Daily Readings - Mon Dec 04 2017
Isaiah
1This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem:2In the last days the mountain of the LORD's temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it.3Many peoples will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths." The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.4He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.5Come, O house of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the LORD.
Matthew
5When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help.6"Lord," he said, "my servant lies at home paralyzed and in terrible suffering."7Jesus said to him, "I will go and heal him."8The centurion replied, "Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.9For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."10When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, "I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.11I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.13Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go! It will be done just as you believed it would." And his servant was healed at that very hour.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the universal call to faith and the ultimate vision of peace and unity that God desires for humanity. In the first reading from Isaiah, we hear a prophetic vision of a future where all nations will stream to the mountain of the Lord, seeking his ways and walking in his paths. This vision is one of harmony and peace, where weapons of war are transformed into tools for cultivation, and conflict gives way to cooperation. Isaiah’s words, spoken in a time of turmoil and division, remind us that God’s plan for the world is one of unity and reconciliation.
In the Gospel, we encounter a centurion whose faith astonishes Jesus. This Roman officer, a representative of an occupying power, humbly recognizes Jesus’ authority and trusts in his power to heal his servant. The centurion’s words, “I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof,” reveal a deep humility and understanding of his place before God. Jesus’ response highlights the universality of God’s mercy, as he declares that many from the east and the west will sit at table with the patriarchs in the kingdom of heaven. This exchange underscores that faith is not limited to a particular people or place but is open to all who trust in God’s Word.
These readings challenge us to examine our own faith and our openness to God’s universal plan. Like the centurion, we are called to humility and trust, recognizing that God’s grace is not confined to our own circle but extends to all people. Isaiah’s vision reminds us that our ultimate goal is a world where division gives way to unity and where all people can walk in the light of the Lord. Let us strive to live out this vision in our daily lives, embracing the diversity of God’s creation and trusting in his providence. May our faith, like the centurion’s, be a source of hope and healing, not only for ourselves but for the world around us.