Daily Readings - Mon Mar 19 2018
2 Samuel
4But that same night the word of the LORD came to Nathan,5"Go and tell my servant David, 'Thus says the LORD: Would you build me a house to dwell in?12When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom.13He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.14I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men,16And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.'"
Romans
13For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith.16That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring--not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all,17as it is written, "I have made you the father of many nations"--in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.18In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, "So shall your offspring be."22That is why his faith was "counted to him as righteousness."
Gospel - Matthew 1.16, 18-21, 24a or Luke 2.41-51a
Matthew
16and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.18Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.19And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.20But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.21She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."24When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife,
Luke
41Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.42And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom.43And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it,44but supposing him to be in the group they went a day's journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances,45and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him.46After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.47And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.48And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress."49And he said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?"50And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them.51And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of trust, faith, and God’s unwavering promises. In the first reading from 2 Samuel, we hear Nathan’s prophecy to David, where God assures him that his dynasty will endure forever and that his throne will be established for eternity. This promise is not a reward for David’s achievements but a testament to God’s faithfulness and plan. It reminds us that God’s promises are not limited by human failure or success but are rooted in His divine will.
The second reading from Romans deepens this theme by highlighting the faith of Abraham, who trusted God’s promise even when it seemed impossible. Paul emphasizes that Abraham’s justification came not through works or the law but through faith. This teaches us that our relationship with God is rooted in trust and grace. Just as Abraham believed in God’s power to bring life out of nothingness, we are called to have faith in God’s plan, even when circumstances seem uncertain or beyond our control.
In the Gospel, we see this trust lived out in Joseph, who despite the unexpected and challenging situation of Mary’s pregnancy, chose to obey God’s will. The Angel reassures him, “Do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home,” and Joseph’s obedience becomes a pivotal moment in the story of salvation. This reminds us that faith is not passive but active—it requires us to step out in trust, even when the path is unclear.
Today’s readings call us to reflect on our own trust in God’s promises. Like David, Abraham, and Joseph, we are invited to surrender our fears and doubts to God’s plan. In our daily lives, this means trusting that God is at work even in the midst of challenges, and being obedient to His will, even when it requires sacrifice or courage. May we, like these biblical figures, grow in faith and allow God’s promises to shape our lives, knowing that His plan is always greater than our own.