Daily Readings - Tue Mar 19 2024
2 Samuel
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?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.13He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.14I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men,16And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.'"
Romans
13For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith.16That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring--not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all,17as it is written, "I have made you the father of many nations"--in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.18In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, "So shall your offspring be."22That is why his faith was "counted to him as righteousness."
Gospel - Matthew 1.16, 18-21, 24a or Luke 2.41-51a
Matthew
16and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.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."24When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife,
Luke
41Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.42And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom.43And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it,44but supposing him to be in the group they went a day's journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances,45and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him.46After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.47And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.48And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress."49And he said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?"50And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them.51And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.
Sermon
In today's readings, we journey through the tapestry of God's promises and the faith that sustains them. The first reading from 2 Samuel reveals Nathan's prophecy to David, where God establishes a lasting dynasty through his offspring, ultimately pointing to the coming of Jesus. This promise is not just about a physical kingdom but a spiritual one, rooted in God's eternal plan.
The second reading from Romans shifts our focus to Abraham, whose faith in God's promise laid the foundation for a family that transcends the law. Paul emphasizes that faith is the cornerstone, making us all children of Abraham. This faith is not passive but active, trusting in God's power to bring life from nothingness, just as He did for Abraham.
In the Gospel, Matthew presents Joseph, a man of righteousness and obedience, who embodies this faith. Despite the uncertainty of Mary's pregnancy, Joseph trusts the divine message, fulfilling God's plan for Jesus' birth. This narrative underscores the importance of trusting God's promises, even in life's unexpected challenges.
These readings invite us to reflect on our own faith. Like Abraham and Joseph, we are called to trust in God's plan, even when the path is unclear. Their examples teach us that faith is not about understanding every detail but about obeying and trusting in God's providence. As we navigate life's uncertainties, may we hold fast to the promise that God's plan is always for our good and the salvation of others. Let us embrace this faith, allowing it to guide our actions and decisions, just as it did for Abraham and Joseph, trusting that God's promises will unfold in His perfect time.