Daily Readings - Mon Apr 08 2024
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.
Hebrews
4For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.5Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, "Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me;6in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure.7Then I said, 'Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.'"8When he said above, "You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings" (these are offered according to the law),9then he added, "Behold, I have come to do your will." He abolishes the first in order to establish the second.10And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
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 profound moments of faith and divine intervention that guide us toward a deeper understanding of God’s plan. The first reading from Isaiah presents King Ahaz with a sign from God—a virgin bearing a son named Immanuel, symbolizing hope amidst crisis. This prophecy, rooted in a time of uncertainty, offers a glimpse of God’s enduring presence. The second reading from Hebrews highlights the inadequacy of animal sacrifices and elevates Christ’s sacrifice as the fulfillment of God’s will, emphasizing its superiority over the old covenant. The Gospel of Luke brings us to the Annunciation, where Mary, with unwavering trust, accepts her role in the Incarnation, exemplifying surrender to God’s will.
These readings intertwine beautifully, as Isaiah’s prophecy finds its fulfillment in Mary’s “Yes.” The Annunciation is not just a moment of personal faith but a pivotal event in salvation history. Hebrews clarifies the significance of Christ’s sacrifice, illustrating how His obedience to God’s will surpasses all previous offerings, providing true redemption. Together, they reveal a narrative of trust, sacrifice, and divine love.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to reflect on our trust in God’s plan. Like Mary, we are called to embrace God’s will, even when uncertain. Christ’s sacrifice, as explained in Hebrews, reminds us of the depth of God’s love and the true nature of sacrifice—one of self-giving love. As we navigate life’s challenges, may we find strength in Mary’s faith and Christ’s sacrifice, trusting in God’s providence and living as instruments of His love.