Daily Readings - Sun Dec 29 2019
Colossians
12Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,13bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.14And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.15And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.17And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Matthew
13Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him."14And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt15and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, "Out of Egypt I called my son."19But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,20saying, "Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child's life are dead."21And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel.22But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee.23And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled: "He shall be called a Nazarene."
Sermon
The readings today guide us through themes of respect, community, and trust in God. The first reading from Sirach emphasizes the importance of honoring our parents, not just as a moral duty, but as a way to honor God. It reminds us that our actions towards our parents reflect our relationship with Him and lead to personal happiness. The second reading from Colossians expands this idea to the broader Christian community, urging us to embrace virtues like mercy, kindness, and patience. It highlights forgiveness and charity as essential bonds within our community, encouraging us to let Christ's peace guide our hearts and actions.
The Gospel from Matthew illustrates these virtues through Joseph's obedience and trust in God. Joseph's actions, guided by divine messages, show us how to trust God's plan, even in uncertain times. His journey to Egypt and back to Nazareth exemplifies fulfillment of prophecy and divine guidance. This story teaches us to trust God's plan, just as Joseph did, and to live out our faith in our daily lives.
In applying these lessons, we are reminded to respect and care for our families, forgive one another, and trust in God's providence. Just as Joseph trusted God, we too can navigate life's challenges with faith. Let us strive to live with the virtues mentioned, fostering a community of love and peace, and trusting in God's plan for our lives.