Daily Readings - Fri Dec 03 2021
Isaiah
17In a very short time, will not Lebanon be turned into a fertile field and the fertile field seem like a forest?18In that day the deaf will hear the words of the scroll, and out of gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind will see.19Once more the humble will rejoice in the LORD; the needy will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.20The ruthless will vanish, the mockers will disappear, and all who have an eye for evil will be cut down-21those who with a word make a man out to be guilty, who ensnare the defender in court and with false testimony deprive the innocent of justice.22Therefore this is what the LORD, who redeemed Abraham, says to the house of Jacob: "No longer will Jacob be ashamed; no longer will their faces grow pale.23When they see among them their children, the work of my hands, they will keep my name holy; they will acknowledge the holiness of the Holy One of Jacob, and will stand in awe of the God of Israel.24Those who are wayward in spirit will gain understanding; those who complain will accept instruction."
Matthew
27As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, "Have mercy on us, Son of David!"28When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?Yes, Lord," they replied.29Then he touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith will it be done to you";30and their sight was restored. Jesus warned them sternly, "See that no one knows about this."31But they went out and spread the news about him all over that region.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful messages of hope, healing, and the transformative power of faith. The passage from Isaiah envisions a future where the oppressed and afflicted are restored, and the blind, both physically and spiritually, receive sight. This prophecy speaks to a time of redemption where God’s justice prevails, and His people are sanctified. The Gospel from Matthew illustrates this transformation through the healing of two blind men who, with unwavering faith, cry out to Jesus for mercy. Their trust is rewarded as Jesus restores their sight, embodying the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy in His ministry.
Both readings emphasize the context of hope amidst adversity. Isaiah’s message was to a struggling Israel, promising renewal and justice, while Matthew’s narrative highlights Jesus as the Messiah who brings light and healing. The connection between the two lies in their focus on faith and trust in God’s plan. The blind men’s persistence and belief in Jesus mirror the faith required for spiritual healing and understanding, as foretold by Isaiah.
In our daily lives, these readings remind us to trust in God’s transformative power, even in darkness. Like the blind men, we must approach God with faith, knowing He can heal and restore us. Additionally, we are called to share the Good News, spreading the light of Christ’s message, just as the healed men did. The moral lesson here is one of hope and evangelization, urging us to have faith in God’s plan and to share His love with others, bringing light into a world that often feels dark.