Daily Readings - Wed Dec 02 2020
Isaiah
6On this mountain the LORD Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine- the best of meats and the finest of wines.7On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations;8he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove the disgrace of his people from all the earth. The LORD has spoken.9In that day they will say, "Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the LORD, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation."10The hand of the LORD will rest on this mountain; but Moab will be trampled under him as straw is trampled down in the manure.
Matthew
29Jesus left there and went along the Sea of Galilee. Then he went up on a mountainside and sat down.30Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them.31The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel.32Jesus called his disciples to him and said, "I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way."33His disciples answered, "Where could we get enough bread in this remote place to feed such a crowd?"34"How many loaves do you have?" Jesus asked. "Seven," they replied, "and a few small fish."35He told the crowd to sit down on the ground.36Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people.37They all ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound visions of God's providence and compassion. The first reading from Isaiah paints a vivid picture of a messianic feast on a mountain, where God will abolish death and sorrow, bringing joy and salvation to His people. This passage, written during a time of hope for Israel's future, reflects the deep longing for a Messiah who would restore and redeem. It speaks of a time when God's people will rejoice, free from the burdens of suffering.
The Gospel from Matthew illustrates Jesus fulfilling this vision of a compassionate Messiah. Jesus heals the sick and feeds a multitude with minimal resources, demonstrating His divine power and care for both spiritual and physical needs. This miracle, with seven loaves and a few fish, shows that even our limited resources can be multiplied when entrusted to God, emphasizing faith and selflessness.
These readings remind us to trust in God's providence and to care for others. They call us to have faith, knowing that our efforts, though small, can lead to great things when guided by God. The moral lesson is clear: trust in God's plan, show compassion to those in need, and recognize that He can transform our limitations into abundance. Let us embrace this vision of a loving God who provides and heals, inspiring us to live with faith and generosity.