Daily Readings - Sat Dec 24 2022
2 Samuel
1Now when the king lived in his house and the LORD had given him rest from all his surrounding enemies,2the king said to Nathan the prophet, "See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells in a tent."3And Nathan said to the king, "Go, do all that is in your heart, for the LORD is with you."4But that same night the word of the LORD came to Nathan,5"Go and tell my servant David, 'Thus says the LORD: Would you build me a house to dwell in?8Now, therefore, thus you shall say to my servant David, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, that you should be prince over my people Israel.9And I have been with you wherever you went and have cut off all your enemies from before you. And I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth.10And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may dwell in their own place and be disturbed no more. And violent men shall afflict them no more, as formerly,11from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover, the LORD declares to you that the LORD will make you a house.12When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom.16And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.'"
Luke
67And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying,68"Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people69and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David,70as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,71that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us;72to show the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant,73the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us74that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear,75in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.76And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,77to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins,78because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high79to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound moments of divine promise and fulfillment. The first reading from 2 Samuel recounts King David's desire to build a house for God, only to be told that God will instead establish a house for David—a promise of an eternal kingdom through his lineage. This passage highlights God's faithfulness and the significance of the Davidic covenant, which points to the ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Gospel reading from Luke presents Zechariah's joyful prophecy, known as the Benedictus, where he praises God for the redemption brought through the house of David and the role of John the Baptist in preparing the way for the Messiah. Together, these readings underscore the themes of divine promise, faithfulness, and the preparation for God's saving plan.
Both readings are deeply connected, as they reflect on God's promises and their fulfillment in unexpected ways. In 2 Samuel, David's humility and trust in God's plan are evident, even when the immediate fulfillment isn't what he envisioned. Similarly, in Luke, Zechariah's prophecy looks forward to the fulfillment of God's promises through the coming of Jesus. These passages remind us that God's timing and ways are not our own, and that His plans often unfold in ways we cannot fully anticipate. They invite us to trust in God's faithfulness and to live with hope, knowing that His promises are always at work, even when we cannot see the full picture.
In our daily lives, these readings call us to reflect on our own trust in God's plan. Like David, we may have desires or plans for our lives, but we must remain open to how God might redirect them for His greater purpose. Like Zechariah, we are called to proclaim God's mercy and salvation, even in the face of uncertainty. As we navigate the challenges and joys of life, may we find strength in the knowledge that God is always at work, preparing the way for us and for others. Let us live with faith, hope, and gratitude, trusting that His promises will guide us on the path of peace.