Daily Readings - Sat Jun 24 2023
Isaiah
1Listen to me, you islands; hear this, you distant nations: Before I was born the LORD called me; from my birth he has made mention of my name.2He made my mouth like a sharpened sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in his quiver.3He said to me, "You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will display my splendor."4But I said, "I have labored to no purpose; I have spent my strength in vain and for nothing. Yet what is due me is in the LORD's hand, and my reward is with my God."5And now the LORD says- he who formed me in the womb to be his servant to bring Jacob back to him and gather Israel to himself, for I am honored in the eyes of the LORD and my God has been my strength-6he says: "It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth."
Acts
22After removing Saul, he made David their king. He testified concerning him: 'I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.'23"From this man's descendants God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as he promised.24Before the coming of Jesus, John preached repentance and baptism to all the people of Israel.25As John was completing his work, he said: 'Who do you think I am? I am not that one. No, but he is coming after me, whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.'26"Brothers, children of Abraham, and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent.
Luke
57When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son.58Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy.59On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah,60but his mother spoke up and said, "No! He is to be called John."61They said to her, "There is no one among your relatives who has that name."62Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child.63He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone's astonishment he wrote, "His name is John."64Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue was loosed, and he began to speak, praising God.65The neighbors were all filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea people were talking about all these things.66Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, "What then is this child going to be?" For the Lord's hand was with him.80And the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the desert until he appeared publicly to Israel.
Sermon
The readings today remind us of God’s plan and our role within it. In the first reading from Isaiah, we hear the voice of the prophet, called by God from the womb, who struggles with the seeming futility of his mission but ultimately trusts in God’s judgment and strength. This servant is not just Isaiah but points to a greater servant, Jesus Christ, who will bring light to all nations. In the second reading from Acts, St. Paul connects the dots of salvation history, highlighting God’s faithfulness in raising up David and then Jesus, the Savior, from his lineage. Finally, in the Gospel, we witness the birth of John the Baptist, whose name signifies God’s grace and whose life is dedicated to preparing the way for the Lord.
These readings are deeply connected. Isaiah’s servant and John the Baptist both point to the same mission: to bring God’s salvation to the world. Isaiah’s struggle with his mission foreshadows John’s humility and recognition of his role as a precursor to Jesus. St. Paul’s reflection in Acts ties it all together, showing how God’s promises unfold over time, culminating in Jesus, the Savior of all people.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to reflect on our own calling and trust in God’s plan. Like Isaiah, we may sometimes feel that our efforts are in vain or that we are not making a difference. Like John the Baptist, we are called to humility and to point others to God, even if we do not see the full fruits of our labor. Let us trust that God’s hand is upon us, guiding us and strengthening us, even when the path is unclear. May we, like these figures, be faithful servants, open to God’s will, and may we bring light and hope to those around us.