Daily Readings - Tue Dec 18 2018
Jeremiah
5"Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.6In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: 'The LORD is our righteousness.'7"Therefore, behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when they shall no longer say, 'As the LORD lives who brought up the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt,'8but 'As the LORD lives who brought up and led the offspring of the house of Israel out of the north country and out of all the countries where he had driven them.' Then they shall dwell in their own land."
Matthew
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."22All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:23"Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel"(which means, God with us).24When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife,
Sermon
In today’s readings, we hear of hope, justice, and the fulfillment of God’s promises. The first reading from Jeremiah speaks of a future king, a righteous branch from David, who will reign with wisdom and justice, bringing salvation and confidence to God’s people. This king is not just a political leader but one who embodies God’s justice and restores Israel’s trust in Him. The Gospel from Matthew then reveals how this prophecy is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Through Joseph’s obedience and trust in God’s plan, even in the face of uncertainty, we see the beginning of the story of Emmanuel, “God with us,” who comes to save His people from their sins.
Both readings point to the same truth: God’s plan for salvation is not just a distant promise but a reality that unfolds in the lives of ordinary people like Joseph and Mary. Jeremiah’s prophecy reminds us that God’s justice and wisdom are not abstract concepts but are lived out in the world through His people. Similarly, Matthew’s account shows us that faith and trust in God’s plan, even when it seems unconventional or challenging, are essential for living out our calling as disciples. Just as Joseph trusted in God’s message and acted with integrity, we too are called to trust in God’s plan and live justly in our own lives.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: How do we embody God’s justice and wisdom in our daily lives? How do we trust in His plan, even when the path ahead is unclear? The readings remind us that God’s promises are not just for a distant future but are fulfilled in the present through our faith and actions. May we, like Joseph, have the courage to say “yes” to God’s will, even when it challenges us, and may we, like the people of Jeremiah’s time, live with confidence in the knowledge that God is always with us, guiding us toward His kingdom.