Daily Readings - Thu Nov 30 2017
First Reading - Romans 10.9-18
Romans
9For if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and if you believe in your heart that God has raised him up from the dead, you shall be saved10For with the heart, we believe unto justice; but with the mouth, confession is unto salvation11For Scripture says: "All those who believe in him shall not be confounded.12For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek. For the same Lord is over all, richly in all who call upon him13For all those who have called upon the name of the Lord shall be saved14Then in what way will those who have not believed in him call upon him? Or in what way will those who have not heard of him believe in him? And in what way will they hear of him without preaching15And truly, in what way will they preach, unless they have been sent, just as it has been written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who evangelize peace, of those who evangelize what is good!16But not all are obedient to the Gospel. For Isaiah says: "Lord, who has believed our report?17Therefore, faith is from hearing, and hearing is through the Word of Christ18But I say: Have they not heard? For certainly: "Their sound has gone forth throughout all the earth, and their words unto the limits of the whole world.
Gospel - Matthew 4.18-22
Matthew
18And Jesus, walking near the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea (for they were fishermen)19And he said to them: "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.20And at once, leaving behind their nets, they followed him21And continuing on from there, he saw another two brothers, James of Zebedee, and his brother John, in a ship with their father Zebedee, repairing their nets. And he called them22And immediately, leaving their nets and their father behind, they followed him
Sermon
The readings today remind us of the fundamental call to faith and the universal mission of spreading the Gospel. In the first reading from Romans, St. Paul emphasizes that salvation comes through confessing Jesus as Lord and believing in the resurrection. He underscores the importance of hearing the Word of God, for faith comes through hearing, and hearing comes through the preaching of Christ. Paul also highlights the unity of all people before God, regardless of background, for the same Lord is rich in mercy to all who call upon him. This passage serves as a powerful reminder of the necessity of sharing the Good News, for how can people believe if they have not heard, and how can they hear if no one preaches?
The Gospel from Matthew illustrates this call to mission through the story of the first disciples. Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, calls Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John. These ordinary fishermen, engaged in their daily work, immediately leave everything behind to follow him. Their response is swift and total, trusting in the Lord’s promise to make them “fishers of men.” This scene highlights the radical nature of discipleship, which requires letting go of worldly attachments and trusting in God’s plan. Just as the apostles were called to spread the Gospel, we too are called to share Christ’s message in our own lives.
These readings challenge us to reflect on our own response to God’s call. Like the apostles, we are invited to trust in the Lord’s promise and step out in faith, even when it requires sacrifice. St. Paul’s words remind us that faith is not just a personal relationship but also a call to evangelize. In our daily lives, we can apply this by being open to sharing the Gospel with others, whether through our words or our actions. Let us ask ourselves: Am I truly living as a disciple of Christ? Am I willing to let go of my own “nets” and follow him wherever he leads? May we, like the apostles, respond with courage and generosity to the call to follow Jesus and to spread his message of love and salvation to the world.