Daily Catholic Mass Readings for December 19, 2021
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 encounter profound messages that guide us toward a deeper understanding of faith and trust in God. The first reading from Micah prophesies the birth of a ruler in Bethlehem, signifying hope and peace amidst turmoil. This prophecy is fulfilled in Jesus, emphasizing His divine mission. The second reading from Hebrews highlights Jesus' role as the perfect sacrifice, surpassing the old covenant's offerings, and underscores His obedience to God's will. In the Gospel, Luke narrates the visitation where Mary's faith is praised, and the unborn John the Baptist recognizes Jesus as Lord, illustrating the power of faith and recognition of God's presence.
These readings interconnect by pointing to Jesus as our savior, whose birth and mission bring hope and redemption. Micah sets the stage for Jesus' arrival, Hebrews explains His sacrifice, and Luke shows the early acknowledgment of His divinity. Together, they remind us that faith and trust in God are essential. In our daily lives, we are called to emulate Mary's faith, trusting God's plan even when uncertain. Like Elizabeth, we should recognize God's presence and rejoice in His work.
The moral lesson here is the importance of living with faith and trust. Just as Mary and Elizabeth trusted God, we too can find peace and strength by surrendering to His will. Let us embrace this trust, allowing it to guide our actions and decisions, and may our faith in God bring us joy and fulfillment.