Daily Readings - Sat Nov 30 2024
Romans
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."
Matthew
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 encounter two powerful messages about faith and discipleship. The first reading from Romans emphasizes the universal call to salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Paul explains that confessing Jesus as Lord and believing in His resurrection leads to salvation, a message meant for all people, regardless of background. He stresses the importance of hearing the Word of God, as faith comes through hearing, and thus, the necessity of evangelization to spread this message.
The Gospel from Matthew illustrates this call to discipleship through the story of Jesus calling Peter, Andrew, James, and John. These fishermen, upon hearing Jesus’ invitation, immediately left their nets to follow Him, demonstrating a radical and prompt response to God’s call. Their willingness to leave behind their livelihoods exemplifies the transformative power of faith and the commitment required to follow Christ.
These readings remind us that our faith journey begins with hearing the Word of God and responding with openness and courage. Just as the disciples left their nets, we too are called to let go of our attachments and follow Jesus wholeheartedly. Moreover, we are reminded of our role in spreading the Gospel, ensuring that others can hear and respond to God’s call. May we embrace this call with the same immediacy and willingness as the disciples, living out our faith with conviction and sharing the Good News with the world.