Daily Readings - Thu Dec 20 2018
Isaiah
10And the Lord spoke further to Ahaz, saying11Ask for a sign for yourself from the Lord your God, from the depths below, even to the heights above12And Ahaz said, "I will not ask, for I will not tempt the Lord.13And he said: "Then listen, O house of David. Is it such a small thing for you to trouble men, that you must also trouble my God14For this reason, the Lord himself will grant to you a sign. Behold, a virgin will conceive, and she will give birth to a son, and his name will be called Immanuel
Luke
26Then, in the sixth month, the Angel Gabriel was sent by God, to a city of Galilee named Nazareth27to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the name of the virgin was Mary28And upon entering, the Angel said to her: "Hail, full of grace. The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women.29And when she had heard this, she was disturbed by his words, and she considered what kind of greeting this might be30And the Angel said to her: "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found grace with God31Behold, you shall conceive in your womb, and you shall bear a son, and you shall call his name: JESUS32He will be great, and he will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father. And he will reign in the house of Jacob for eternity33And his kingdom shall have no end.34Then Mary said to the Angel, "How shall this be done, since I do not know man?35And in response, the Angel said to her: "The Holy Spirit will pass over you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. And because of this also, the Holy One who will be born of you shall be called the Son of God36And behold, your cousin Elizabeth has herself also conceived a son, in her old age. And this is the sixth month for her who is called barren37For no word will be impossible with God.38Then Mary said: "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. Let it be done to me according to your word." And the Angel departed from her
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound moments of divine announcement, each inviting us to reflect on trust and faith. The Prophet Isaiah shares a message of hope to King Ahaz, offering a sign of God's presence—a virgin bearing a son, Immanuel. This prophecy, set against the backdrop of Judah's peril, underscores God's enduring presence amidst uncertainty. Centuries later, the Gospel of Luke presents the Annunciation, where Mary, with humility and faith, accepts the miraculous conception of Jesus. Both narratives highlight divine intervention and the call to trust in God's plan.
The connection between these readings lies in their emphasis on trust and the fulfillment of prophecy. Isaiah's sign finds its fulfillment in Luke, as Mary's "Yes" to God's will embodies the faith that Ahaz was reluctant to embrace. Mary's response, despite confusion, exemplifies unwavering trust, teaching us to embrace God's will with openness and courage.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to reflect on our own trust in God. Like Mary, we are called to face challenges with faith, trusting that God's plan, though mysterious, is always for our good. The moral lesson here is clear: trust in God's providence, even when the path seems uncertain. Let us draw inspiration from Mary's example, allowing her faith to guide us in our own journeys of trust and discipleship.