Daily Readings - Wed Dec 18 2024
Jeremiah
5"Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.6In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: 'The LORD is our righteousness.'7"Therefore, behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when they shall no longer say, 'As the LORD lives who brought up the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt,'8but 'As the LORD lives who brought up and led the offspring of the house of Israel out of the north country and out of all the countries where he had driven them.' Then they shall dwell in their own land."
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 invite us to reflect on the themes of trust, faith, and God’s providential plan. In the first reading from Jeremiah, we hear a messianic prophecy about a righteous branch from David who will reign with wisdom and justice. This passage was written during a time of great turmoil for Judah, when the people were longing for a savior to restore their nation. Jeremiah’s words offer hope, promising that God will fulfill his promise to David and bring salvation to his people. The prophet emphasizes that this savior will not only bring justice but also restore Israel’s confidence in God’s presence and protection.
In the Gospel, we see this promise beginning to unfold through the story of Joseph. Matthew’s account of Joseph’s response to Mary’s pregnancy highlights his deep trust in God’s plan, even in the face of uncertainty and potential scandal. Joseph, as a just and faithful man, could have chosen a different path, but instead, he listened to the Angel’s message and obeyed without hesitation. His actions demonstrate the kind of faith that allows God’s will to take precedence over human plans. The Gospel also reminds us that the birth of Jesus fulfills the prophecy from Isaiah, where Emmanuel, “God with us,” comes to dwell among his people.
These readings challenge us to reflect on how we trust in God’s plan in our own lives. Like Joseph, we are often faced with unexpected situations that require us to let go of our own understanding and instead rely on God’s wisdom. Jeremiah’s prophecy encourages us to have hope, knowing that God is always working to bring about justice and salvation. As we strive to live out our faith, may we imitate Joseph’s obedience and trust in God’s plan, even when the path ahead seems uncertain. Let us remember that God is always with us, guiding us toward his will, and may we, like Mary and Joseph, say “yes” to whatever he asks of us.