Daily Readings - Sat Dec 18 2021
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 encounter profound messages of hope and trust in God's plan. The first reading from Jeremiah 23:5-8 speaks of a future king from David's line who will bring justice and security to God's people. This righteous leader will shift the focus from past deliverances, like the Exodus, to a new era where God's people dwell securely in their own land. The Gospel reading from Matthew 1:18-24 presents Joseph, a man of justice and compassion, who trusts God's message through an angel. He accepts Mary as his wife, recognizing the divine plan, and thus Jesus, Emmanuel, is born—God with us.
Jeremiah's prophecy is set during the Babylonian exile, a time of despair, offering hope for a future king who embodies justice and wisdom. Matthew's narrative introduces Joseph, a figure of obedience and trust, highlighting the fulfillment of prophecy in Jesus' birth. The connection between the readings lies in the fulfillment of Jeremiah's prophecy in Jesus, who is the righteous branch bringing salvation and embodying God's presence among us.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to trust in God's plan, even when unexpected, just as Joseph did. They remind us to hope in God's justice and presence. As we navigate life's challenges, let us recognize Emmanuel, God with us, and live with the confidence that comes from His presence. May we, like Joseph, embrace God's will with obedience and trust, finding strength in His enduring plan.