Daily Readings - Sun Dec 18 2022
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
The readings today weave together a powerful narrative of faith, trust, and the fulfillment of God’s promises. In the first reading from Isaiah, we hear the prophet offering King Ahaz a sign from God—a virgin who will conceive and bear a son named Immanuel, meaning “God is with us.” This promise, made in a time of uncertainty and crisis, is a reminder that God’s presence is always near, even in the darkest moments. The second reading from Romans introduces us to St. Paul, who writes about the Gospel of God, which was promised through the prophets and fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Paul emphasizes that Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection are the culmination of God’s plan to bring salvation to all people. Finally, in the Gospel, we witness the quiet faith of Joseph, who, despite confusion and fear, trusts in God’s plan when an angel assures him that Mary’s child is of the Holy Spirit. Joseph’s obedience and trust in God’s word fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah, as Jesus, the Emmanuel, is born into the world.
These readings are deeply connected, as they all point to the same truth: God’s plan of salvation is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Isaiah’s prophecy finds its fulfillment in the Gospel, where Mary, the virgin, conceives and gives birth to Jesus, the Son of God. Paul’s letter to the Romans bridges the Old Testament promise with the New Testament reality, emphasizing that Jesus is both the descendant of David and the Son of God, raised from the dead. Together, these readings remind us that God’s promises are always fulfilled, though not always in the way we expect. Joseph’s example teaches us the importance of trusting in God’s plan, even when it seems unclear or challenging.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to reflect on our own trust in God’s providence. Like Joseph, we may face situations that seem uncertain or difficult to understand. Yet, the Gospel assures us that God is always with us, even in the midst of confusion. The name “Emmanuel” reminds us that God’s presence is not distant but intimately close, especially in the challenges we face. Let us strive to imitate Joseph’s quiet faith and obedience, trusting that God’s plan for us is always one of love and salvation. May we, like Mary and Joseph, open our hearts to the Holy Spirit and allow God’s will to be fulfilled in our lives.