Daily Readings - Sun Dec 22 2019
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
Romans
1Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called as an Apostle, separated for the Gospel of God2which he had promised beforehand, through his Prophets, in the Holy Scriptures3about his Son, who was made for him from the offspring of David according to the flesh4the Son of God, who was predestined in virtue according to the Spirit of sanctification from the resurrection of the dead, our Lord Jesus Christ5through whom we have received grace and Apostleship, for the sake of his name, for the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles6from whom you also have been called by Jesus Christ7To all who are at Rome, the beloved of God, called as saints. Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ
Matthew
18Now the procreation of the Christ occurred in this way. After his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they lived together, she was found to have conceived in her womb by the Holy Spirit19Then Joseph, her husband, since he was just and was not willing to hand her over, preferred to send her away secretly20But while thinking over these things, behold, an Angel of the Lord appeared to him in his sleep, saying: "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to accept Mary as your wife. For what has been formed in her is of the Holy Spirit21And she shall give birth to a son. And you shall call his name JESUS. For he shall accomplish the salvation of his people from their sins.22Now all this occurred in order to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying23"Behold, a virgin shall conceive in her womb, and she shall give birth to a son. And they shall call his name Emmanuel, which means: God is with us.24Then Joseph, arising from sleep, did just as the Angel of the Lord had instructed him, and he accepted her as his wife
Sermon
In today's readings, we journey through a narrative of faith, prophecy, and fulfillment, centered on the birth of Jesus Christ. The first reading from Isaiah presents a pivotal moment when King Ahaz is offered a sign by God, culminating in the prophecy of a virgin bearing a son named Immanuel, symbolizing God's presence among His people. This prophecy finds its fulfillment in the Gospel of Matthew, where Joseph, faced with Mary's miraculous pregnancy, is assured by an angel that the child is of the Holy Spirit. The second reading from Romans bridges these narratives, outlining Paul's mission to spread the Gospel, rooted in the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies through Jesus Christ.
The context of these readings is deeply rooted in the historical and theological landscape of their times. Isaiah's prophecy was spoken during a period of crisis for Judah, offering a beacon of hope. Paul's epistle to the Romans serves as an introduction to the broader mission of Christianity, linking the life of Jesus to the promises of the Hebrew Scriptures. Matthew's account of Joseph's experience provides a human dimension to the divine plan, highlighting the importance of trust and obedience.
These readings interweave to illustrate God's faithfulness and the fulfillment of His promises. Isaiah's prophecy, fulfilled in Matthew, underscores God's reliability across generations. Paul's letter in Romans ties this fulfillment to the universal mission of salvation through Jesus Christ. The story of Joseph and Mary invites us to reflect on our own trust in God's plan, especially in uncertain times. Just as Joseph trusted beyond human understanding, we are called to embrace God's will, even when it challenges our comprehension.
In our daily lives, this narrative encourages us to trust in God's providence. Like Joseph, we may face unexpected circumstances, but it is through faith and obedience that we find peace. The moral lesson here is clear: trust in God's plan, even when the path is unclear. This trust leads us to a deeper understanding of His presence in our lives, much like the promise of Immanuel—God with us.
As we reflect on these readings, let us embrace the lesson of trust and obedience. May we, like Joseph, find the courage to follow God's will, knowing that His promises are always fulfilled in His time. In doing so, we experience the peace and fulfillment that come from trusting in God's plan, a plan that brings light and hope into our lives.