Daily Readings - Sat Jan 01 2022
Numbers
22The LORD spoke to Moses, saying,23"Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them,24The LORD bless you and keep you;25the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;26the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.27"So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them."
Galatians
4But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law,5to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.6And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!"7So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.
Luke
16And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.17And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child.18And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.19But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.21And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we journey through the narrative of God’s blessings and redemption, culminating in the birth of Jesus Christ. The first reading from Numbers presents the priestly blessing, a sacred ritual where Aaron and his sons invoke God’s favor upon the Israelites. This blessing, still cherished today, symbolizes God’s enduring desire to bestow peace and protection upon His people. The context of this passage is rooted in the Levitical laws, highlighting God’s presence and care for His chosen people.
The second reading from Galatians shifts our focus to the New Testament, where Paul explains the profound implications of Jesus’ birth. Jesus, born under the law, redeems humanity, enabling us to become children of God. This adoption grants us the Spirit, who cries out to God as our loving Father, transforming us from servants to heirs. The context here is Paul addressing Gentile converts, emphasizing their inclusion in God’s family through faith in Christ.
The Gospel from Luke vividly portrays the shepherds’ visit to the newborn Jesus, Mary’s contemplation, and the naming of Jesus. This scene, part of the Nativity story, underscores the fulfillment of prophecy and the arrival of the Messiah. The readings interconnect, showing the progression from the Old Testament blessing to its fulfillment in Christ, who brings ultimate redemption and adoption into God’s family.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to embrace our identity as children of God. We are blessed in Christ and called to live with the peace and grace He offers. Like Mary, we are encouraged to reflect on our spiritual experiences, allowing them to deepen our faith. The moral lesson here is recognizing our adoption as God’s children, living with the confidence of our inheritance, and sharing this blessing with others. May we trust in God’s plan and embody the love and peace of Christ in our lives.