Daily Readings - Tue Mar 03 2020
Isaiah
10As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,11so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
Matthew
7And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.9"This, then, is how you should pray: "'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,10your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.11Give us today our daily bread.12Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. '14For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.15But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful messages about trust and communication with God. The first reading from Isaiah 55:10-11 uses the imagery of rain and snow to illustrate the effectiveness of God's word. Just as these elements nourish the earth and bring forth life, God's word accomplishes its purpose without returning void. This passage, set against the backdrop of Israel's hope for restoration, reminds us of the reliability and fruitfulness of God's promises.
The Gospel from Matthew 6:7-15 shifts our focus to prayer. Jesus teaches the disciples to pray with sincerity, using the Lord's Prayer as a model. He emphasizes that God knows our needs before we ask, urging us to avoid the empty repetitions of the pagans. The prayer teaches us to seek holiness, God's will, daily bread, forgiveness, and protection from evil. Jesus underscores the importance of forgiveness, warning that our ability to forgive others affects how God forgives us.
These readings intertwine themes of trust and sincerity. Isaiah assures us that God's word is trustworthy, while Matthew's Gospel calls us to trust in God's provision and to approach Him with genuine hearts. In our daily lives, this means trusting God's plan, praying sincerely, and embracing forgiveness. The moral lesson is clear: deepen your trust in God, communicate with Him authentically, and live out your faith through forgiveness and reliance on His goodness.