Daily Readings - Sun Dec 15 2019

¹The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus,²it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the LORD, the splendor of our God.³Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way;⁴say to those with fearful hearts, "Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you."⁵Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped.⁶Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert.¹⁰and the ransomed of the LORD will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

James

Chapter 5

⁷Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains.⁸You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near.⁹Don't grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!¹⁰Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

Matthew

Chapter 11

²When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples³to ask him, "Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?"⁴Jesus replied, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see:⁵The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.⁶Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me."⁷As John's disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: "What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind?⁸If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings' palaces.⁹Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.¹⁰This is the one about whom it is written: "'I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.'¹¹I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

Sermon

In today's readings, we encounter a harmonious blend of prophecy, encouragement, and revelation, each guiding us toward a deeper understanding of faith and patience. The first reading from Isaiah 35 paints a vivid picture of a restored world where the blind see, the deaf hear, and the lame leap, symbolizing the messianic era of salvation. This prophecy, born from a time of exile and despair, offers hope of a future where God's glory will be fully revealed. In the second reading, James 5, we are urged to embrace patience amidst trials, much like a farmer awaiting harvest. James reminds us that our struggles are temporary and that the Lord's coming is imminent. This call to patience is not about passive waiting but about active trust in God's timing, drawing strength from the examples of the prophets who endured hardships with perseverance. The Gospel from Matthew 11 brings these themes together as John the Baptist, in prison, questions Jesus's identity. Jesus responds by pointing to the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecies through His miracles, confirming His role as the Messiah. He then praises John, highlighting his greatness yet noting that even the least in the kingdom surpasses him, emphasizing the transformative power of faith. In our daily lives, these readings invite us to trust in God's plan, especially during uncertain times. Just as Isaiah foresaw restoration and James encouraged patience, we too can find strength in knowing that our trials are temporary. Let us embrace patience, trusting that God's promises will unfold in His time. Recognizing ourselves as part of God's kingdom, may we live with the assurance that even the smallest among us is great in His eyes.