Daily Readings - Tue Mar 19 2019
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 the fulfillment of God’s promises. In the first reading from 2 Samuel, Nathan delivers a message from God to David, promising that David’s dynasty will endure forever and that his son will build a house for the Lord. This passage is rooted in the context of David’s desire to build a temple for God, but God instead reverses the offer, promising to establish David’s throne and family line permanently. This is a moment of profound trust for David, as he learns to surrender his plans to God’s greater design.
The second reading from Romans deepens this theme of trust and faith. Paul explains that Abraham’s faith, not his adherence to the law, made him the father of many nations. Abraham trusted God’s promise even when it seemed impossible, and this trust was credited to him as righteousness. Paul emphasizes that the promise of salvation is not limited to those under the law but is extended to all who share Abraham’s faith. This reading reminds us that our relationship with God is built on trust and faith, not on our own efforts or achievements.
In the Gospel, Matthew presents Joseph as a model of trust and obedience. When Joseph learns that Mary is pregnant through the Holy Spirit, he is initially confused and hesitant. However, when an angel of the Lord appears to him in a dream, explaining that the child is the fulfillment of God’s plan, Joseph trustingly obeys. He takes Mary as his wife and becomes a faithful guardian of Jesus. Joseph’s story teaches us that trust in God’s plan, even in uncertain and challenging circumstances, leads to participation in God’s work of salvation.
These readings call us to reflect on our own trust in God’s promises. Like David, we may have plans and aspirations, but we must learn to surrender them to God’s will. Like Abraham, we are invited to trust in God’s promises even when they seem impossible. And like Joseph, we are called to obey God’s will, even when it requires us to step out of our comfort zones. Trusting in God’s plan allows us to participate in His work of salvation, not just for ourselves, but for the world. May we, like these biblical figures, grow in faith and trust, knowing that God’s promises are always fulfilled in His time and in His way.