Daily Readings - Mon Nov 30 2020
Romans
9That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.10For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.11As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."12For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,13for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."14How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?15And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"16But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our message?"17Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.18But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did: "Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world."
Matthew
18As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.19"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."20At once they left their nets and followed him.21Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them,22and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
Sermon
In today's readings, we explore the themes of faith, response to God's call, and the responsibility to share the Gospel. The first reading from Romans emphasizes that salvation comes through confessing Jesus as Lord and believing in His resurrection. It highlights the importance of spreading the Word, as faith comes from hearing the message of Christ. The Gospel from Matthew illustrates this call to action through the story of Jesus calling the first disciples, who immediately left their nets to follow Him, demonstrating a prompt and committed response to God's invitation.
Both readings are set in the context of early Christianity. Romans is part of Paul's discussion on salvation, addressing both Jews and Gentiles, while Matthew's passage marks the beginning of Jesus' ministry, showing the gathering of His disciples. Together, they underscore the dual aspects of faith: believing in Christ and actively following Him. The connection between the readings lies in their emphasis on response—faith in Romans and the practical following in Matthew—highlighting the call to both believe and act.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to reflect on our response to God's call. It is not enough to have faith; we must also act on it, trusting God and being willing to make sacrifices. Additionally, we are reminded of our responsibility to share the Gospel, ensuring that others can hear and believe. The moral lesson here is the necessity of faith coupled with action, demonstrating true commitment to following Christ and spreading His message. Let us strive to be open to God's call, trusting in His plan and actively living out our faith.