Daily Readings - Sun Dec 22 2019
Isaiah
10Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz,11"Ask a sign of the LORD your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven."12But Ahaz said, "I will not ask, and I will not put the LORD to the test."13And he said, "Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary men, that you weary my God also?14Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Romans
1Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,2which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures,3concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh4and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,5through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations,6including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ,7To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints:Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
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 journey through a narrative of faith, prophecy, and fulfillment, centered on the birth of Jesus Christ. The first reading from Isaiah presents a pivotal moment when King Ahaz is offered a sign by God, culminating in the prophecy of a virgin bearing a son named Immanuel, symbolizing God's presence among His people. This prophecy finds its fulfillment in the Gospel of Matthew, where Joseph, faced with Mary's miraculous pregnancy, is assured by an angel that the child is of the Holy Spirit. The second reading from Romans bridges these narratives, outlining Paul's mission to spread the Gospel, rooted in the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies through Jesus Christ.
The context of these readings is deeply rooted in the historical and theological landscape of their times. Isaiah's prophecy was spoken during a period of crisis for Judah, offering a beacon of hope. Paul's epistle to the Romans serves as an introduction to the broader mission of Christianity, linking the life of Jesus to the promises of the Hebrew Scriptures. Matthew's account of Joseph's experience provides a human dimension to the divine plan, highlighting the importance of trust and obedience.
These readings interweave to illustrate God's faithfulness and the fulfillment of His promises. Isaiah's prophecy, fulfilled in Matthew, underscores God's reliability across generations. Paul's letter in Romans ties this fulfillment to the universal mission of salvation through Jesus Christ. The story of Joseph and Mary invites us to reflect on our own trust in God's plan, especially in uncertain times. Just as Joseph trusted beyond human understanding, we are called to embrace God's will, even when it challenges our comprehension.
In our daily lives, this narrative encourages us to trust in God's providence. Like Joseph, we may face unexpected circumstances, but it is through faith and obedience that we find peace. The moral lesson here is clear: trust in God's plan, even when the path is unclear. This trust leads us to a deeper understanding of His presence in our lives, much like the promise of Immanuel—God with us.
As we reflect on these readings, let us embrace the lesson of trust and obedience. May we, like Joseph, find the courage to follow God's will, knowing that His promises are always fulfilled in His time. In doing so, we experience the peace and fulfillment that come from trusting in God's plan, a plan that brings light and hope into our lives.