Daily Readings - Wed Nov 30 2022
Romans
9That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.10For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.11As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."12For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,13for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."14How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?15And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"16But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our message?"17Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.18But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did: "Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world."
Matthew
18As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.19"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."20At once they left their nets and followed him.21Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them,22and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are reminded of the power of faith and the call to follow Christ. The first reading from Romans emphasizes that salvation comes through confessing Jesus as Lord and believing in His resurrection. Paul highlights that faith is not limited to any particular group but is universal, available to all who hear and respond to the Word of God. He also underscores the importance of preaching and hearing the Gospel, for it is through this that faith is born. The Gospel from Matthew illustrates this beautifully as Jesus calls His first disciples—Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John. Without hesitation, they leave their nets and their livelihoods behind to follow Him, demonstrating a radical trust in His call.
The connection between the readings lies in the theme of hearing and responding to God’s Word. In Romans, Paul explains that faith comes from hearing, and in Matthew, the disciples hear Jesus’ call and act immediately. This highlights the importance of being attentive to God’s voice and being willing to take steps of faith, even when it requires sacrifice. The disciples’ prompt response shows that true discipleship involves surrender and trust, not just intellectual assent.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: Am I truly listening to God’s Word in my life? Am I willing to respond with the same courage and trust as the disciples? Following Christ may not always be easy, but it is in surrendering our plans and desires to Him that we find true purpose and fulfillment. Let us pray for the grace to hear His voice clearly and to follow Him without hesitation, trusting that He will guide us to a life of abundant joy and service.