Daily Catholic Mass Readings for December 23, 2018
First Reading: Micah 5.2-5a
2But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days.3Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has given birth; then the rest of his brothers shall return to the people of Israel.4And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth.5And he shall be their peace.When the Assyrian comes into our land and treads in our palaces, then we will raise against him seven shepherds and eight princes of men;
Psalm 80
1Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock! You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth.2Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh, stir up your might and come to save us!3Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved!4O LORD God of hosts, how long will you be angry with your people's prayers?5You have fed them with the bread of tears and given them tears to drink in full measure.6You make us an object of contention for our neighbors, and our enemies laugh among themselves.7Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved!8You brought a vine out of Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it.9You cleared the ground for it; it took deep root and filled the land.10The mountains were covered with its shade, the mighty cedars with its branches.11It sent out its branches to the sea and its shoots to the River.12Why then have you broken down its walls, so that all who pass along the way pluck its fruit?13The boar from the forest ravages it, and all that move in the field feed on it.14Turn again, O God of hosts! Look down from heaven, and see; have regard for this vine,15the stock that your right hand planted, and for the son whom you made strong for yourself.16They have burned it with fire; they have cut it down; may they perish at the rebuke of your face!17But let your hand be on the man of your right hand, the son of man whom you have made strong for yourself!18Then we shall not turn back from you; give us life, and we will call upon your name!19Restore us, O LORD God of hosts! let your face shine, that we may be saved!
Second Reading: Hebrews 10.5-10
5Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, "Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me;6in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure.7Then I said, 'Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.'"8When he said above, "You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings" (these are offered according to the law),9then he added, "Behold, I have come to do your will." He abolishes the first in order to establish the second.10And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Gospel: Luke 1.39-45
39In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah,40and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.41And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit,42and she exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!43And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?44For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.45And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord."
Sermon
In today's readings, we journey through prophecy, fulfillment, and the power of faith, each offering a unique perspective on God's plan and our role within it. The first reading from Micah sets the stage with a prophecy of a ruler born in Bethlehem, emphasizing humility and the promise of peace. This prophecy is not just a forecast but a testament to God's meticulous plan, highlighting Bethlehem's significance despite its small size. It reminds us that greatness often emerges from humble beginnings, a theme central to Jesus' birth and mission.
The second reading from Hebrews bridges the prophecy with its fulfillment through Jesus. It explains that Jesus' sacrifice replaces traditional offerings, embodying God's will and providing a once-for-all atonement. This passage underscores the depth of Jesus' obedience and the efficacy of his sacrifice, which sanctifies us. It invites us to reflect on the profound impact of Jesus' life and death, urging us to embrace God's will with similar dedication.
In Luke's Gospel, we witness the visitation where Mary's faith is met with Elizabeth's joyful recognition of the divine. This encounter illustrates the immediate impact of the Incarnation, as John the Baptist leaps in recognition of Jesus' presence. Mary's faith and trust in God's plan serve as a model for us, encouraging us to embrace our roles in God's narrative with trust and humility.
As we reflect on these readings, we are reminded to trust in God's plan, even when circumstances seem uncertain. Like Mary, we are called to say "yes" to God's will, understanding that our faith can inspire others. Let us approach each day with the humility of Bethlehem, the obedience of Jesus, and the faith of Mary, allowing God's peace to reign in our hearts. In doing so, we not only fulfill our part in God's story but also become beacons of hope and joy to those around us.