Daily Readings for December 15, 2017

1ST READING

Isaiah reminds the Israelites that they should listen to God and not simply do whatever they feel like doing. They should discern the plan of God for them and follow it. The same is true for us. We live in a world that exalts, even glorifies, self-will and this is not always healthy. Our personal desires are not always good for us as they can be influenced by sin and temptation.

Isaiah 48:17-19

17 Thus says the Lord, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I, the Lord, your God, teach you what is for your good, and lead you on the way you should go. 18 If you would hearken to my commandments, your prosperity would be like a river, and your vindication like the waves of the sea; 19 your descendants would be like the sand, and those born of your stock like its grains, their name never cut off or blotted out from my presence.

P S A L M

Psalm 1:1-2, 3, 4, 6

R: Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.

1 Blessed the man who follows not the counsel of the wicked nor walks in the way of sinners, nor sits in the company of the insolent, 2 but delights in the law of the Lord and meditates on his law day and night. (R) 3 He is like a tree planted near running water, that yields its fruit in due season, and whose leaves never fade. Whatever he does, prospers. (R) 4 Not so the wicked, not so; they are like chaff which the wind drives away. 6 For the Lord watches over the way of the just, but the way of the wicked vanishes. (R)

GOSPEL

The last line of the Gospel today is important. It reminds us of the truth that we can know a person by the fruits of his life. Wisdom is proven by the results of our actions. For example, if we choose to mix with people who are corrupt and sinful, then we will dive into the same pitfalls. The fruit of that choice will not be good and therefore proven unwise. Let us discern before we act.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

The Lord will come; go out to meet him! He is the prince of peace.

Matthew 11:16-19

16 Jesus said to the crowds: “To what shall I compare this generation? It is like children who sit in marketplaces and call to one another, 17 ‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance, we sang a dirge but you did not mourn.’ 18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they said, ‘He is possessed by a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking and they said, ‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is vindicated by her works.”