Daily Readings - Sun Nov 29 2020
Isaiah
16But you are our Father, though Abraham does not know us or Israel acknowledge us; you, O LORD, are our Father, our Redeemer from of old is your name.17Why, O LORD, do you make us wander from your ways and harden our hearts so we do not revere you? Return for the sake of your servants, the tribes that are your inheritance.
1Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains would tremble before you!3For when you did awesome things that we did not expect, you came down, and the mountains trembled before you.4Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.5You come to the help of those who gladly do right, who remember your ways. But when we continued to sin against them, you were angry. How then can we be saved?6All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.7No one calls on your name or strives to lay hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us and made us waste away because of our sins.8Yet, O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.
1 Corinthians
3Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.4I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.5For in him you have been enriched in every way--in all your speaking and in all your knowledge--6because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you.7Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.8He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.9God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.
Mark
33Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.34It's like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.35"Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back--whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn.36If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping.37What I say to you, I say to everyone: 'Watch!'"
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of longing, grace, and vigilance. In the first reading from Isaiah, we hear the prophet’s heartfelt cry to God, expressing a deep yearning for divine intervention. The people acknowledge their sinfulness and the ways they have strayed from God’s path, yet they hold onto the hope of redemption. Isaiah reminds us that even in our brokenness, God remains our Father and Maker, and we are His beloved creation. The reading from 1 Corinthians shifts our focus to the grace of God, which has been abundantly poured out in Christ. Paul thanks God for the spiritual gifts bestowed upon the Corinthian community, emphasizing that they lack nothing as they await the return of the Lord. This passage encourages us to trust in God’s faithfulness and to live with gratitude for the blessings we have received. Finally, in the Gospel, Jesus calls us to vigilance. Using the parable of the absent master, He reminds us that we must always be ready, for we do not know when the Lord will return. This teaching challenges us to live with purpose and attentiveness, mindful of our ultimate calling.
These readings are deeply connected. Isaiah’s cry for God’s presence and Paul’s thanksgiving for God’s grace both point to the reality of our dependence on God. While Isaiah expresses the pain of separation, Paul highlights the joy of union with Christ. Together, they remind us that our relationship with God is one of both repentance and gratitude. The Gospel then calls us to live this relationship with intentionality. Jesus’ command to “be vigilant” is not about fear but about fidelity. It invites us to stay awake to God’s presence in our lives and to remain prepared to meet Him, whether in the quiet moments of prayer or in the challenges of daily life.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: How do we cultivate vigilance in our lives? It begins with prayer, for prayer keeps us attentive to God’s voice and open to His will. It also requires humility, acknowledging our sinfulness and trusting in God’s mercy. Finally, it demands gratitude, recognizing the grace that has been given to us and living in a way that reflects our thanksgiving. May we, like the Corinthians, be strengthened by God’s faithfulness and remain steadfast as we await the day of the Lord. Let us not grow complacent but instead live each day with purpose, knowing that we are called to be His faithful servants, ready to welcome Him whenever He comes.