Daily Readings - Thu Dec 07 2017

First Reading - Isaiah 26.1-6

¹In that day, this canticle will be sung in the land of Judah. Within it will be set the city of our strength: Zion, a savior, a wall with a bulwark²Open the gates, and let the just people who guard the truth enter³The old error has gone away. You will serve peace: peace, for we have hoped in you⁴You have trusted in the Lord for all eternity, in the Lord God almighty forever⁵For he will bend down those living in the heights. He will bring low the lofty city. He will lower it, even to the ground. He will tear it down, even to the dust⁶The foot will tread it down: the feet of the poor, the steps of the indigent

Gospel - Matthew 7.21, 24-27

Matthew

Chapter 7

²¹Not all who say to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the kingdom of heaven. But whoever does the will of my Father, who is in heaven, the same shall enter into the kingdom of heaven²⁴Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and does them shall be compared to a wise man, who built his house upon the rock²⁵And the rains descended, and the floods rose up, and the winds blew, and rushed upon that house, but it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock²⁶And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them shall be like a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand²⁷And the rains descended, and the floods rose up, and the winds blew, and rushed upon that house, and it did fall, and great was its ruin.

Sermon

In today’s readings, we encounter powerful messages about trust, justice, and the importance of living out our faith. The first reading from Isaiah paints a vivid picture of a secure future for those who trust in God, where justice prevails and the oppressed are lifted up. The prophet describes a city of strength, Zion, where the gates of truth and justice are open to all. This vision is not just a distant hope but a call to trust in God’s providence, especially in uncertain times. Isaiah reminds us that true peace comes from hoping in God and doing His will, which leads to a life of stability and security. In the Gospel, Jesus emphasizes the importance of putting faith into action. He teaches that merely calling Him “Lord” is not enough; true discipleship requires doing the will of the Father. Jesus illustrates this with the parable of the two builders—one wise and one foolish. The wise builder, who hears Jesus’ words and acts on them, constructs his house on a rock, symbolizing a life grounded in faith and obedience. This house withstands the storms of life, representing the challenges and temptations we all face. On the other hand, the foolish builder, who hears but does not act, builds on sand, leading to ruin when the storms come. Jesus is clear: a life of faith is one that is lived out in action, not just in words. These readings remind us that our faith must be rooted in trust and lived out in concrete actions. Like the wise builder, we are called to build our lives on the solid foundation of God’s Word. This means not only listening to His teachings but also putting them into practice in our daily lives. As Isaiah suggests, this leads to a life of peace and justice, where the poor and the marginalized are uplifted. In a world filled with uncertainty, let us turn to God with trust, and let us build our lives on the rock of His truth. May our actions reflect our faith, and may we be instruments of His justice and peace in the world.