Daily Readings - Tue Feb 23 2021
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 are reminded of the power and purpose of God’s word and the call to live in harmony with His will. The first reading from Isaiah uses the imagery of rain and snow to illustrate how God’s word is sent forth to accomplish His purposes. Just as water nourishes the earth and brings forth life, so too does God’s word bring forth fruitfulness in those who receive it. This passage speaks to the Israelites in exile, offering them hope that despite their current struggles, God’s word will not return empty but will achieve its intended purpose of restoring and renewing His people.
The Gospel reading from Matthew shifts our focus to prayer and forgiveness. Jesus teaches us how to pray, not with empty repetition like the pagans, but with simplicity and trust in God’s providence. The Lord’s Prayer, which Jesus gives us, is a model of humility and dependence on God. It emphasizes the importance of seeking God’s will above our own and of forgiveness as a cornerstone of our relationship with God and with others. Jesus makes it clear that our willingness to forgive others is directly tied to God’s forgiveness of us, highlighting the reciprocal nature of love and mercy.
Together, these readings invite us to reflect on our relationship with God and with one another. Isaiah reminds us that God’s word is alive and active, shaping us and calling us to fruitfulness. Matthew challenges us to approach prayer with authenticity and to embrace forgiveness as a way of life. As we go about our daily lives, let us trust in the power of God’s word to guide and transform us. Let us also strive to forgive others as God forgives us, creating spaces of grace and reconciliation in our families, communities, and world. In doing so, we align ourselves with God’s will and allow His kingdom to take root in our hearts and in the world around us.