Daily Readings - Sun Dec 23 2018

²And you, Bethlehem Ephrata, are a little one among the thousands of Judah. From you will go forth he who shall be the ruler in Israel, and his landing place has been set from the beginning, from the days of eternity³Because of this, he will provide for them, even until the time in which she who bears him gives birth. And the remnant of his brothers will be converted to the sons of Israel⁴And he will stand firm and feed on the strength of the Lord, according to the sublime name of the Lord his God. And they will be converted, for now he will be magnified, even to the ends of the earth⁵And this man will be our peace, when the Assyrian will come into our land, and when he will trample on our houses; and we will raise against him seven shepherds and eight principal men

Hebrews

Chapter 10

⁵For this reason, as Christ enters into the world, he says: "Sacrifice and oblation, you did not want. But you have fashioned a body for me⁶Holocausts for sin were not pleasing to you⁷Then I said, ‘Behold, I draw near.’ At the head of the book, it has been written of me that I should do your will, O God.⁸In the above, by saying, "Sacrifices, and oblations, and holocausts for sin, you did not want, nor are those things pleasing to you, which are offered according to the law⁹then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God,’ " he takes away the first, so that he may establish what follows¹⁰For by this will, we have been sanctified, through the one time oblation of the body of Jesus Christ

Luke

Chapter 1

³⁹And in those days, Mary, rising up, traveled quickly into the hill country, to a city of Judah⁴⁰And she entered into the house of Zechariah, and she greeted Elizabeth⁴¹And it happened that, as Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit⁴²And she cried out with a loud voice and said: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb⁴³And how does this concern me, so that the mother of my Lord would come to me⁴⁴For behold, as the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy⁴⁵And blessed are you who believed, for the things that were spoken to you by the Lord shall be accomplished.

Sermon

In today's readings, we journey through prophecy, fulfillment, and the power of faith, each offering a unique perspective on God's plan and our role within it. The first reading from Micah sets the stage with a prophecy of a ruler born in Bethlehem, emphasizing humility and the promise of peace. This prophecy is not just a forecast but a testament to God's meticulous plan, highlighting Bethlehem's significance despite its small size. It reminds us that greatness often emerges from humble beginnings, a theme central to Jesus' birth and mission. The second reading from Hebrews bridges the prophecy with its fulfillment through Jesus. It explains that Jesus' sacrifice replaces traditional offerings, embodying God's will and providing a once-for-all atonement. This passage underscores the depth of Jesus' obedience and the efficacy of his sacrifice, which sanctifies us. It invites us to reflect on the profound impact of Jesus' life and death, urging us to embrace God's will with similar dedication. In Luke's Gospel, we witness the visitation where Mary's faith is met with Elizabeth's joyful recognition of the divine. This encounter illustrates the immediate impact of the Incarnation, as John the Baptist leaps in recognition of Jesus' presence. Mary's faith and trust in God's plan serve as a model for us, encouraging us to embrace our roles in God's narrative with trust and humility. As we reflect on these readings, we are reminded to trust in God's plan, even when circumstances seem uncertain. Like Mary, we are called to say "yes" to God's will, understanding that our faith can inspire others. Let us approach each day with the humility of Bethlehem, the obedience of Jesus, and the faith of Mary, allowing God's peace to reign in our hearts. In doing so, we not only fulfill our part in God's story but also become beacons of hope and joy to those around us.