Daily Catholic Mass Readings for December 7, 2023
First Reading: Isaiah 26.1-6
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.
Psalm 118
1Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.2Let Israel say: "His love endures forever."3Let the house of Aaron say: "His love endures forever."4Let those who fear the LORD say: "His love endures forever."5In my anguish I cried to the LORD, and he answered by setting me free.6The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?7The LORD is with me; he is my helper. I will look in triumph on my enemies.8It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.9It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.10All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the LORD I cut them off.11They surrounded me on every side, but in the name of the LORD I cut them off.12They swarmed around me like bees, but they died out as quickly as burning thorns; in the name of the LORD I cut them off.13I was pushed back and about to fall, but the LORD helped me.14The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.15Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: "The LORD's right hand has done mighty things!16The LORD's right hand is lifted high; the LORD's right hand has done mighty things!"17I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the LORD has done.18The LORD has chastened me severely, but he has not given me over to death.19Open for me the gates of righteousness; I will enter and give thanks to the LORD.20This is the gate of the LORD through which the righteous may enter.21I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation.22The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone;23the LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.24This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.25O LORD, save us; O LORD, grant us success.26Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD. From the house of the LORD we bless you.27The LORD is God, and he has made his light shine upon us. With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession up to the horns of the altar.28You are my God, and I will give you thanks; you are my God, and I will exalt you.29Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
Gospel: Matthew 7.21, 24-27
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.