Daily Readings - Sun Feb 05 2023
Isaiah
6"Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?7Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter- when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?8Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.9Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. "If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk,10and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.
1 Corinthians
1When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.2For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.3I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling.4My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power,5so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power.
Matthew
13"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.14"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are invited to reflect on the nature of true faith and how it should manifest in our lives. The first reading from Isaiah calls us to a fast that is not just about abstaining from food, but about living out our faith in tangible ways—freeing the oppressed, feeding the hungry, and clothing the naked. Isaiah emphasizes that when we live in such a way, our light will shine forth, and God’s presence will be evident in our lives. This passage reminds us that our faith is not just about personal piety but about transforming the world around us.
The second reading from 1 Corinthians complements this message. Paul humbly acknowledges that his preaching was not based on human wisdom or eloquence but on the power of the Spirit. He emphasizes that true faith is rooted in the cross of Christ, and it is the power of God, not human effort, that transforms hearts. This reading challenges us to trust in God’s grace rather than our own abilities and to seek a faith that is simple, sincere, and Spirit-led.
In the Gospel, Jesus calls us to be salt and light in the world. He warns us that if we lose our saltiness or hide our light, we fail to fulfill our purpose. Jesus encourages us to let our good works shine so that others may see God’s glory through us. This passage reminds us that our faith is not meant to be hidden or passive; it should actively impact the world, bringing flavor and light to those around us.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: How am I living out my faith in a way that transforms the world? Am I trusting in God’s power, or am I relying on my own strength? Am I shining my light for others to see? May we be inspired to live with humility, trust in God’s grace, and let our faith be a source of hope and light in a world that so desperately needs it.