Daily Readings - Sun Jan 01 2023

²²And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying²³"Say to Aaron and his sons: Thus shall you bless the sons of Israel, and you shall say to them²⁴‘May the Lord bless you and keep you²⁵May the Lord reveal his face to you and take pity on you²⁶May the Lord turn his countenance toward you and grant peace to you.²⁷And they shall invoke my name over the sons of Israel, and I will bless them.

Galatians

Chapter 4

⁴But when the fullness of time arrived, God sent his Son, formed from a woman, formed under the law⁵so that he might redeem those who were under the law, in order that we might receive the adoption of sons⁶Therefore, because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying out: "Abba, Father.⁷And so now he is not a servant, but a son. But if he is a son, then he is also an heir, through God

Luke

Chapter 2

¹⁶And they went quickly. And they found Mary and Joseph; and the infant was lying in a manger¹⁷Then, upon seeing this, they understood the word that had been spoken to them about this boy¹⁸And all who heard it were amazed by this, and by those things which were told to them by the shepherds¹⁹But Mary kept all these words, pondering them in her heart²⁰And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, just as it was told to them²¹And after eight days were ended, so that the boy would be circumcised, his name was called JESUS, just as he was called by the Angel before he was conceived in the womb

Sermon

The readings today invite us to reflect on the profound blessings and gifts that God has bestowed upon us. In the first reading from Numbers, we hear the beautiful priestly blessing that God instructed Moses to share with the people of Israel. This blessing is not just a ritualistic phrase but a heartfelt prayer for God’s favor, mercy, and peace. It reminds us that God’s presence is always with us, offering protection and grace. The context of this passage is rooted in the ancient Israelites’ deep desire to experience God’s closeness, and it serves as a reminder that we, too, can seek and find God’s blessing in our lives. The second reading from Galatians shifts our focus to the ultimate blessing of salvation through Jesus Christ. St. Paul explains that in the fullness of time, God sent His Son to redeem us, making us adopted children of God. This adoption is not just a legal status but a deeply personal relationship, as the Spirit of God dwells within us, enabling us to call God “Abba, Father.” The context here is Paul’s emphasis on the transformative power of grace, which frees us from the constraints of the law and invites us to live as heirs of God’s kingdom. This reading beautifully connects to the first, as it reveals that the ultimate blessing of God is not just His presence but His intimate relationship with us through Christ. The Gospel from Luke brings us to the scene of the shepherds visiting the newborn Jesus. After hearing the angelic announcement, they hasten to find Mary, Joseph, and the infant Jesus lying in a manger. The shepherds’ response—glorifying and praising God—is a model for us. Mary, on the other hand, ponders these events in her heart, showing us the value of reflection and gratitude. The context of this passage is the fulfillment of God’s promise to send a Savior, and it ties together the themes of blessing, adoption, and divine presence. Just as the shepherds and Mary responded to God’s gift with faith and wonder, we are called to do the same in our daily lives. In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to recognize the blessings of God, embrace our identity as beloved children of God, and respond with gratitude and praise. Just as the shepherds and Mary pondered the mystery of God’s love, we too can take time to reflect on how God is present in our lives. Let us ask for the grace to live with the confidence of being adopted sons and daughters of God, and may we, like the shepherds, glorify and praise God for the gifts He has given us. Ultimately, these readings remind us that the greatest blessing we have received is Jesus Christ, who brings us peace, mercy, and the assurance of God’s eternal love.