Daily Readings - Thu Dec 07 2023
Isaiah
1In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: We have a strong city; God makes salvation its walls and ramparts.2Open the gates that the righteous nation may enter, the nation that keeps faith.3You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.4Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.5He humbles those who dwell on high, he lays the lofty city low; he levels it to the ground and casts it down to the dust.6Feet trample it down- the feet of the oppressed, the footsteps of the poor.
Matthew
21"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.24"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.25The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.26But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.27The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."
Sermon
The first reading from Isaiah paints a vivid picture of a secure and peaceful future for God’s people, where the city of Zion stands as a symbol of strength and refuge. The prophet emphasizes that this safety is not merely physical but deeply spiritual, rooted in trust and hope in the Lord. He reminds us that true peace comes from God and that our ultimate security lies in His providence. The passage also highlights the contrast between the lofty cities of human pride and the humble reliance of the poor and the marginalized, who will ultimately find their footing on the ruins of the arrogant.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches us about the essence of true discipleship. He makes it clear that merely calling Him “Lord” is not enough; what matters is living according to the will of the Father. Using the parable of the two builders, Jesus illustrates the importance of putting His words into practice. The wise builder, who constructs his house on rock, represents the one who hears and acts on God’s teachings. The foolish builder, who builds on sand, symbolizes those who hear but fail to live out their faith. Jesus warns us that without a firm foundation in His teachings, we risk spiritual ruin when the storms of life come.
These readings invite us to reflect on the foundation of our faith and how we live it out. Isaiah reminds us to trust in God’s providence and to hope in Him, while Jesus challenges us to move beyond mere words to actions that reflect our commitment to His will. In our daily lives, we are called to build our spiritual houses on the rock of God’s Word, not just by listening but by living it. This means being people of integrity, compassion, and service, rooted in the teachings of Christ. Let us ask ourselves: Is my faith a living, active force in my life, or is it merely a set of words? Let us strive to be wise builders, constructing our lives on the solid foundation of God’s love and truth.