Daily Catholic Mass Readings for November 30, 2023
First Reading: Romans 10.9-18
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."
Psalm 19
1The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.2Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.3There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.4Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun,5which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion, like a champion rejoicing to run his course.6It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat.7The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.8The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.9The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous.10They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.11By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.12Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults.13Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression.14May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Gospel: Matthew 4.18-22
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 hear about the call to faith and the call to follow Jesus. The first reading from Romans emphasizes the importance of confessing Jesus as Lord and believing in the resurrection as the foundation of salvation. Paul reminds us that faith comes from hearing the Word of God, and he laments that not all have heard or believed. He quotes Isaiah to highlight the mystery of unbelief but also affirms that God’s Word has been proclaimed to all, even to the ends of the earth. The Gospel, from Matthew, shows us the practical response to this call. Jesus encounters Peter, Andrew, James, and John, and with a simple invitation, they leave everything behind to follow him. Their immediate and wholehearted response is a model for us all.
The connection between these readings is clear: faith and discipleship are inseparable. In Romans, we see the necessity of hearing and believing the Gospel, while in Matthew, we see the radical obedience that flows from true faith. The first reading reminds us that God’s Word is universal, accessible to all, and that salvation is offered freely to everyone. The Gospel, however, challenges us to respond with the same urgency and trust as the first disciples. Their willingness to leave behind their nets and their livelihoods shows us that following Jesus requires sacrifice and surrender.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: How am I responding to the call of Jesus in my own life? Do I hear his Word and truly believe it, or do I allow doubt or fear to hold me back? The disciples in today’s Gospel didn’t have all the answers, but they trusted in Jesus enough to take the first step. For us, this might mean being more open to God’s will, sharing our faith with others, or letting go of something that hinders our relationship with him. The moral lesson is clear: faith without action is incomplete, and discipleship requires a willingness to follow, even when the path is uncertain. Let us pray for the courage to hear God’s Word, to believe it deeply, and to follow him without hesitation.