Daily Readings - Mon Dec 02 2019
Isaiah
2In that day the Branch of the LORD will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land will be the pride and glory of the survivors in Israel.3Those who are left in Zion, who remain in Jerusalem, will be called holy, all who are recorded among the living in Jerusalem.4The Lord will wash away the filth of the women of Zion; he will cleanse the bloodstains from Jerusalem by a spirit of judgment and a spirit of fire.5Then the LORD will create over all of Mount Zion and over those who assemble there a cloud of smoke by day and a glow of flaming fire by night; over all the glory will be a canopy.6It will be a shelter and shade from the heat of the day, and a refuge and hiding place from the storm and rain.
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
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful visions of God's presence and promise. The first, from Isaiah, paints a vivid picture of a restored Zion, where God's people are purified and protected under a divine tabernacle. This passage, written during a time of turmoil, offers hope for a future where God's glory will shine forth, and His people will find refuge and joy. The tabernacle symbolizes God's enduring presence and protection, a sanctuary from life's storms.
The Gospel from Matthew shifts our focus to the present, as Jesus encounters a centurion whose servant is ill. The centurion's remarkable faith—recognizing Jesus' authority and humility—leads to a miraculous healing. This story highlights the universality of God's kingdom, where even those outside the Jewish community can find inclusion through faith. Jesus' response underscores that faith transcends boundaries, inviting many from all directions to partake in the heavenly feast.
These readings remind us that faith is our gateway to God's grace and healing. Like the centurion, we are called to trust in God's plan, even when circumstances seem uncertain. The tabernacle in Isaiah and Jesus' presence in Matthew both symbolize God's abiding refuge. In our daily lives, we can find strength in this assurance, knowing that through faith, we are part of a kingdom that embraces all people. Let us, therefore, approach God with humility and trust, seeking His healing and presence in our lives, and welcoming others into this universal feast of faith.