Daily Readings - Sun Jan 13 2019
Isaiah
1Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.2Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the LORD's hand double for all her sins.3A voice of one calling: "In the desert prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God.4Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain.5And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken."9You who bring good tidings to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, "Here is your God!"10See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power, and his arm rules for him. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him.11He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.
Titus
11For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.12It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,13while we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,14who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
4But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared,5he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,6whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior,7so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
Luke
15The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Christ.16John answered them all, "I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.21When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened22and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of hope, preparation, and the transformative power of God’s grace. In the first reading from Isaiah, we hear a message of consolation and hope. The prophet speaks to a people in exile, offering them comfort and promising that their suffering will end. He calls them to prepare the way for the Lord, emphasizing that every valley will be exalted and every mountain will be made low. This is a call to humility and openness, reminding us that God’s glory will be revealed to all. Isaiah’s words are not just for his time but resonate with us today, urging us to clear the path in our hearts for the Lord’s presence.
The second reading from Titus builds on this theme of preparation but shifts the focus to the transformative power of God’s grace. St. Paul reminds us that God’s grace has appeared to all people, instructing us to reject sin and live lives marked by sobriety, justice, and piety. This is not about earning God’s favor through our works but about responding to the gift of salvation we have already received. Titus emphasizes that we are saved by God’s mercy, not by our own efforts, and that this mercy renews us through the Holy Spirit. This reading challenges us to live in a way that reflects the hope we have in Christ, trusting in his promise of eternal life.
In the Gospel, Luke presents us with the figure of John the Baptist, who humbly acknowledges that he is not the Messiah but merely a precursor. John’s baptism with water is a symbol of repentance, but he points to one greater than himself who will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. The scene of Jesus’ baptism is a profound moment of revelation. As Jesus prays, the heavens open, the Spirit descends like a dove, and the Father’s voice affirms Jesus as his beloved Son. This moment is not just about Jesus; it is about us. Through our own baptism, we are called to share in Christ’s mission and to live as beloved children of God, guided by the Holy Spirit.
These readings remind us that our lives are not about our own strength or achievements but about surrendering to God’s grace. Like Isaiah, we are called to prepare the way for the Lord in our hearts and in the world around us. Like John the Baptist, we are called to humility and to point others to Christ. And like Jesus, we are called to live in the power of the Holy Spirit, trusting in the Father’s love. May we allow God’s grace to transform us, that we might live as heirs of eternal life, always hopeful and always prepared to reveal his glory to the world.