Daily Readings - Tue Mar 25 2025
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
Hebrews
4For it is impossible for sins to be taken away by the blood of oxen and goats5For 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
26Then, in the sixth month, the Angel Gabriel was sent by God, to a city of Galilee named Nazareth27to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the name of the virgin was Mary28And upon entering, the Angel said to her: "Hail, full of grace. The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women.29And when she had heard this, she was disturbed by his words, and she considered what kind of greeting this might be30And the Angel said to her: "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found grace with God31Behold, you shall conceive in your womb, and you shall bear a son, and you shall call his name: JESUS32He will be great, and he will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father. And he will reign in the house of Jacob for eternity33And his kingdom shall have no end.34Then Mary said to the Angel, "How shall this be done, since I do not know man?35And in response, the Angel said to her: "The Holy Spirit will pass over you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. And because of this also, the Holy One who will be born of you shall be called the Son of God36And behold, your cousin Elizabeth has herself also conceived a son, in her old age. And this is the sixth month for her who is called barren37For no word will be impossible with God.38Then Mary said: "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. Let it be done to me according to your word." And the Angel departed from her
Sermon
In today's readings, we journey through a narrative that begins with prophecy, moves through explanation, and culminates in fulfillment, each step revealing God's profound plan for humanity.
The first reading from Isaiah presents a pivotal moment in history. Ahaz, faced with a threat, is offered a sign by God—a virgin bearing a son named Immanuel, "God is with us." This prophecy, spoken in a time of crisis, assures Ahaz of God's presence and foreshadows the Messiah's arrival. The context of war and political turmoil highlights the need for trust in divine providence. Isaiah's message is one of hope and assurance, reminding us that God's promises are unwavering.
The second reading from Hebrews elucidates the significance of Christ's sacrifice. It explains that animal sacrifices, while part of the old covenant, could not truly atone for sins. Christ's obedience to God's will, offering His body once for all, establishes a new covenant. This reading contextualizes the shift from the old to the new covenant, emphasizing that Christ's sacrifice is the ultimate expression of God's love and will.
In the Gospel, Luke's account of the Annunciation brings us to the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy. Mary, with her trusting obedience, becomes the vessel through which God enters the world. Her response, "Let it be done to me according to your word," exemplifies faith and surrender. This moment is the climax of God's plan, where prophecy meets reality, and the divine becomes human.
These readings invite us to reflect on trust and obedience. Like Mary, we are called to embrace God's will, even when uncertain. The readings remind us that our faith is rooted in God's promises, which are always fulfilled in His time. As we navigate life's challenges, may we find strength in the knowledge that God is with us, just as He was with Mary and the people of Isaiah's time.
In a world that often seeks control, Mary's example teaches us to surrender to God's plan. Let us, like her, be open to God's will, trusting that His presence guides us through all circumstances. The moral lesson is clear: trust in God's plan, obey His will, and recognize His continuous presence in our lives. Through this, we find true peace and purpose.