Daily Readings - Tue Dec 24 2024
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 reflect on the themes of God's covenant and redemption, woven through the stories of King David and Zechariah's prophecy. The first reading from 2 Samuel recounts God's promise to David, establishing his dynasty and the Davidic covenant. This covenant is not about David building a house for God, but God building a lasting legacy through David's descendants. The second reading from Luke presents Zechariah's song, celebrating the fulfillment of God's promises through the house of David, with John the Baptist preparing the way for the Messiah.
Both readings highlight God's faithfulness and the importance of preparation. In 2 Samuel, David's humility and trust in God's plan are evident as he accepts that his role is not to build a temple but to trust in God's timing. In Luke, Zechariah's prophecy underscores John's role in preparing the way for Jesus, illustrating the need for each of us to clear the path for others to encounter God.
These readings invite us to trust in God's promises and timing in our lives. Just as David trusted God's plan, we too can have faith that God is working in our lives, even when our plans differ from His. Similarly, like John the Baptist, we are called to prepare the way for others, whether through acts of kindness, sharing our faith, or simply being present for those in need.
As we reflect on these readings, let us embrace the call to be faithful and open to God's plan. May we trust in His promises and actively prepare the way for others to experience His love and redemption.