Daily Readings - Tue Dec 20 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.
Luke
26In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,27to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary.28And he came to her and said, "Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!"29But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be.30And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.31And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.32He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David,33and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end."34And Mary said to the angel, "How will this be, since I am a virgin?"35And the angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy--the Son of God.36And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren.37For nothing will be impossible with God."38And Mary said, "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two profound moments of divine communication, each inviting us to reflect on faith and trust in God’s plan. The first reading from Isaiah presents King Ahaz, who, when offered a sign by God, refuses, perhaps out of pride or fear. Despite this, Isaiah assures the people of Judah that God will provide a sign: a virgin shall conceive and bear a son named Immanuel, a prophecy pointing to the coming Messiah. This sets the stage for the Gospel, where Luke recounts the Annunciation. The Angel Gabriel appears to Mary, announcing she will bear Jesus, the Son of God. Mary, though perplexed, responds with faith and obedience, embracing God’s will.
These readings are deeply connected, as Isaiah’s prophecy finds its fulfillment in Mary’s “Yes.” While Ahaz hesitates, Mary’s faith shines, illustrating the transformative power of trust in God. Both stories highlight the importance of openness to divine plans, even when they seem impossible. Mary’s acceptance of the unknown exemplifies the faith we are called to emulate.
In our daily lives, we often face challenges that test our faith. Like Mary, we are invited to trust in God’s providence, even when circumstances seem daunting. The moral lesson here is clear: faith is not about understanding everything but about surrendering to God’s will. As we navigate life’s uncertainties, let us draw inspiration from Mary’s example, embracing God’s plan with courage and trust, knowing that no word of God is impossible.