Daily Readings - Fri Dec 10 2021
Isaiah
17This is what the LORD says- your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.18If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your righteousness like the waves of the sea.19Your descendants would have been like the sand, your children like its numberless grains; their name would never be cut off nor destroyed from before me."
Matthew
16"To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others:17"'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge and you did not mourn.'18For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.'19The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and "sinners."' But wisdom is proved right by her actions."
Sermon
In today’s readings, we hear two powerful messages about listening to God and living wisely. The first reading from Isaiah reminds us that God is our Redeemer and Teacher, who guides us on the right path. Isaiah laments that if only the people had listened to God’s commandments, they would have experienced peace and justice in abundance. The prophet paints a vivid picture of the blessings that could have been theirs—offspring as countless as the sand and a lasting legacy before God. This passage is set in the context of Israel’s exile, where the people are being called to return to God with the promise of restoration and renewal.
The Gospel from Matthew offers a complementary message. Jesus compares the current generation to children who refuse to be satisfied—neither joyful music nor mournful lament can move them. He points out the hypocrisy of those who criticized John the Baptist for his ascetic lifestyle and now criticize Jesus for eating and drinking with sinners. Jesus concludes by saying that wisdom is vindicated by the actions of those who embrace it. This passage reflects the tension between Jesus’ message of love and inclusion and the rigid expectations of the Pharisees, who were unwilling to accept either John’s austerity or Jesus’ openness to all people.
Both readings call us to reflect on how we respond to God’s invitation in our lives. Isaiah urges us to listen to God’s teachings and trust in His guidance, while Matthew challenges us to embrace wisdom and not be rigid in our judgments. In our daily lives, this means being open to God’s presence in both moments of joy and times of challenge. It also means avoiding the hypocrisy of expecting others to fit into our narrow expectations, instead choosing to live with compassion and understanding. Let us ask ourselves: Am I truly listening to God’s voice? Am I living in a way that reflects the wisdom and love of Christ? May we strive to follow God’s path with humility and openness, trusting that His peace and justice will flow through us like a river.