Daily Readings - Sun Dec 03 2023
Isaiah
16But you are our Father, though Abraham does not know us or Israel acknowledge us; you, O LORD, are our Father, our Redeemer from of old is your name.17Why, O LORD, do you make us wander from your ways and harden our hearts so we do not revere you? Return for the sake of your servants, the tribes that are your inheritance.
1Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains would tremble before you!3For when you did awesome things that we did not expect, you came down, and the mountains trembled before you.4Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.5You come to the help of those who gladly do right, who remember your ways. But when we continued to sin against them, you were angry. How then can we be saved?6All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.7No one calls on your name or strives to lay hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us and made us waste away because of our sins.8Yet, O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.
1 Corinthians
3Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.4I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.5For in him you have been enriched in every way--in all your speaking and in all your knowledge--6because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you.7Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.8He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.9God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.
Mark
33Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.34It's like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.35"Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back--whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn.36If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping.37What I say to you, I say to everyone: 'Watch!'"
Sermon
In today's readings, we are presented with themes of longing, grace, and vigilance. The First Reading from Isaiah expresses the Israelites' sense of abandonment and their plea for God's return, reflecting on their sins and yearning for His presence. The Second Reading from 1 Corinthians offers a message of thanksgiving and reassurance, highlighting the grace and strength provided through Christ, and the faithfulness of God. The Gospel from Mark calls us to vigilance and prayer, urging us to stay alert for the Lord's return, much like a watchful doorkeeper.
The context of these readings reveals deeper connections. Isaiah's plea is set against the backdrop of the Babylonian exile, where the Israelites grapple with their sins and separation from God. Paul's letter to the Corinthians is a pastoral encouragement, reinforcing their faith and the assurance of God's grace. Mark's Gospel, part of the Olivet Discourse, prepares the disciples for Jesus' departure and the challenges ahead. Together, these readings weave a narrative of trust in God's faithfulness amidst trials.
Applying these teachings to daily life, we are reminded of the importance of maintaining a strong spiritual life through prayer and vigilance. Just as the doorkeeper in Mark's Gospel is to stay watchful, we should remain attentive to God's presence and guidance. Recognizing our own shortcomings, as in Isaiah, encourages us to seek forgiveness and renewal. The moral lesson here is one of trust and grace—despite our weaknesses, God remains faithful, providing the strength we need. We are called to stay alert and prayerful, trusting in God's plan and grace.