Daily Readings - Mon Nov 28 2022
Isaiah
2In that day the Branch of the LORD will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land will be the pride and glory of the survivors in Israel.3Those who are left in Zion, who remain in Jerusalem, will be called holy, all who are recorded among the living in Jerusalem.4The Lord will wash away the filth of the women of Zion; he will cleanse the bloodstains from Jerusalem by a spirit of judgment and a spirit of fire.5Then the LORD will create over all of Mount Zion and over those who assemble there a cloud of smoke by day and a glow of flaming fire by night; over all the glory will be a canopy.6It will be a shelter and shade from the heat of the day, and a refuge and hiding place from the storm and rain.
Matthew
5When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help.6"Lord," he said, "my servant lies at home paralyzed and in terrible suffering."7Jesus said to him, "I will go and heal him."8The centurion replied, "Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.9For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."10When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, "I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.11I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.13Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go! It will be done just as you believed it would." And his servant was healed at that very hour.
Sermon
Today’s readings invite us to reflect on the themes of trust in God’s providence and the universality of His kingdom. In the first reading from Isaiah, we are presented with a vision of a restored Zion, where God’s people are purified and protected under His tabernacle. This passage, written during a time of impending judgment for Israel, offers a message of hope and future restoration. Isaiah emphasizes that God will wash away the sins of His people and provide a place of refuge, symbolizing His eternal care and protection.
In the Gospel, Matthew recounts the story of the centurion who approaches Jesus with humility and unwavering faith. The centurion, recognizing his unworthiness, trusts that Jesus’ word alone can heal his servant. Jesus, marveling at this faith, not only heals the servant but also declares that many from the east and west will join the patriarchs in the kingdom of heaven. This narrative underscores the inclusion of Gentiles in God’s plan, highlighting that faith transcends boundaries and is the key to entering the kingdom.
These readings connect through the theme of trust in God’s plan. Isaiah’s vision encourages us to trust in God’s future promises, while the centurion’s faith demonstrates trust in God’s immediate providence. Together, they remind us to have faith in God’s timing and to embrace the inclusivity of His kingdom. In our daily lives, we are called to trust in God’s plan, even in uncertainty, and to approach Him with humility. Let us, like the centurion, open our hearts to God’s grace, recognizing that His kingdom is open to all who have faith. May we find shelter under His tabernacle and trust in His promise of eternal refuge.