Daily Readings - Sat Dec 18 2021
Jeremiah
5Behold, the days are approaching, says the Lord, when I will raise up to David a righteous branch. And a king will reign, and he will be wise. And he will exercise judgment and justice upon the earth6In those days, Judah will be saved, and Israel will live in confidence. And this is the name that they will call him: ‘The Lord, our Just One.7Because of this, behold, the days are approaching, says the Lord, when they will no longer say, ‘As the Lord lives, who led the sons of Israel away from the land of Egypt,8but instead, ‘As the Lord lives, who led away and brought back the offspring of the house of Israel from the land of the north and from the entire earth,’ from the places to which I had cast them out. And they will live in their own land.
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 encounter profound messages of hope and trust in God's plan. The first reading from Jeremiah 23:5-8 speaks of a future king from David's line who will bring justice and security to God's people. This righteous leader will shift the focus from past deliverances, like the Exodus, to a new era where God's people dwell securely in their own land. The Gospel reading from Matthew 1:18-24 presents Joseph, a man of justice and compassion, who trusts God's message through an angel. He accepts Mary as his wife, recognizing the divine plan, and thus Jesus, Emmanuel, is born—God with us.
Jeremiah's prophecy is set during the Babylonian exile, a time of despair, offering hope for a future king who embodies justice and wisdom. Matthew's narrative introduces Joseph, a figure of obedience and trust, highlighting the fulfillment of prophecy in Jesus' birth. The connection between the readings lies in the fulfillment of Jeremiah's prophecy in Jesus, who is the righteous branch bringing salvation and embodying God's presence among us.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to trust in God's plan, even when unexpected, just as Joseph did. They remind us to hope in God's justice and presence. As we navigate life's challenges, let us recognize Emmanuel, God with us, and live with the confidence that comes from His presence. May we, like Joseph, embrace God's will with obedience and trust, finding strength in His enduring plan.