Daily Readings - Fri Dec 24 2021
2 Samuel
1Now it happened that, when the king had settled in his house, and the Lord had given him rest on every side from all his enemies2he said to the prophet Nathan, "Do you not see that I live in a house of cedar, and that the ark of God has been placed in the midst of tent skins?3And Nathan said to the king: "Go, do all that is in your heart. For the Lord is with you.4But it happened in that night, behold, the word of the Lord came to Nathan, saying5"Go, and say to my servant David: ‘Thus says the Lord: Should you build a house for me as a dwelling place8And now, so shall you speak to my servant David: ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: I took you from the pastures, from following the sheep, so that you would be the leader over my people Israel9And I have been with you everywhere that you walked. And I have slain all your enemies before your face. And I have made you a great name, beside the name of the great ones who are upon the earth10And I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and I will plant them, and they shall live there, and they shall no longer be disturbed. Neither shall the sons of iniquity continue to afflict them as before11from the day when I appointed judges over my people Israel. And I will give rest to you from all your enemies. And the Lord foretells to you that the Lord himself will make a house for you12And when your days will have been fulfilled, and you will sleep with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who will go forth from your loins, and I will make firm his kingdom16And your house shall be faithful, and your kingdom shall be before your face, for eternity, and your throne shall be secure continuously.’
Luke
67And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit. And he prophesied, saying68"Blessed is the Lord God of Israel. For he has visited and has wrought the redemption of his people69And he has raised up a horn of salvation for us, in the house of David his servant70just as he spoke by the mouth of his holy Prophets, who are from ages past71salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all those who hate us72to accomplish mercy with our fathers, and to call to mind his holy testament73the oath, which he swore to Abraham, our father, that he would grant to us74so that, having been freed from the hand of our enemies, we may serve him without fear75in holiness and in justice before him, throughout all our days76And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High. For you will go before the face of the Lord: to prepare his ways77to give knowledge of salvation to his people for the remission of their sins78through the heart of the mercy of our God, by which, descending from on high, he has visited us79to illuminate those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to direct our feet in the way of peace.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound reflections on God's promises and their fulfillment. The first reading from 2 Samuel recounts King David's desire to build a house for God, only to be told by Nathan that God will instead establish a lasting dynasty through David. This highlights God's trust in David, transforming his humble past as a shepherd into a royal lineage. The Gospel from Luke presents Zechariah's canticle, a joyful response to the birth of John the Baptist, who is destined to prepare the way for the Lord. Both readings underscore God's faithfulness and the pivotal roles chosen individuals play in His divine plan.
The context of these readings is crucial. David, having secured peace, considers building a temple, symbolizing his desire to honor God. Nathan's prophecy redirects this ambition, emphasizing God's promise of a eternal kingdom through David's descendants. In Luke, Zechariah's song of praise celebrates the fulfillment of these promises through the coming of Jesus, with John the Baptist as the precursor. This connection between the two readings bridges the establishment of the kingdom and its ultimate fulfillment in Christ.
Applying these readings to our lives, we are reminded to trust in God's plan, even when it surpasses our understanding. Like David, we may have aspirations, but it is God who guides our true purpose. Zechariah's example teaches us to embrace our roles in God's plan with joy and faith. Our task is to prepare the way for others to encounter God, much like John the Baptist. In a world filled with uncertainty, these readings encourage us to remain steadfast in faith, trusting that God's promises will unfold in His time.
The moral lesson here is one of faith and trust. God's plans are often beyond our comprehension, yet they are always rooted in love and wisdom. We are called to embrace our part in His narrative, whether in grand gestures or humble service. By doing so, we not only honor God but also become instruments of His grace, guiding others toward the path of peace and salvation.