Daily Readings - Tue Mar 25 2025
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 journey through a narrative that begins with prophecy, moves through explanation, and culminates in fulfillment, each step revealing God's profound plan for humanity.
The first reading from Isaiah presents a pivotal moment in history. Ahaz, faced with a threat, is offered a sign by God—a virgin bearing a son named Immanuel, "God is with us." This prophecy, spoken in a time of crisis, assures Ahaz of God's presence and foreshadows the Messiah's arrival. The context of war and political turmoil highlights the need for trust in divine providence. Isaiah's message is one of hope and assurance, reminding us that God's promises are unwavering.
The second reading from Hebrews elucidates the significance of Christ's sacrifice. It explains that animal sacrifices, while part of the old covenant, could not truly atone for sins. Christ's obedience to God's will, offering His body once for all, establishes a new covenant. This reading contextualizes the shift from the old to the new covenant, emphasizing that Christ's sacrifice is the ultimate expression of God's love and will.
In the Gospel, Luke's account of the Annunciation brings us to the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy. Mary, with her trusting obedience, becomes the vessel through which God enters the world. Her response, "Let it be done to me according to your word," exemplifies faith and surrender. This moment is the climax of God's plan, where prophecy meets reality, and the divine becomes human.
These readings invite us to reflect on trust and obedience. Like Mary, we are called to embrace God's will, even when uncertain. The readings remind us that our faith is rooted in God's promises, which are always fulfilled in His time. As we navigate life's challenges, may we find strength in the knowledge that God is with us, just as He was with Mary and the people of Isaiah's time.
In a world that often seeks control, Mary's example teaches us to surrender to God's plan. Let us, like her, be open to God's will, trusting that His presence guides us through all circumstances. The moral lesson is clear: trust in God's plan, obey His will, and recognize His continuous presence in our lives. Through this, we find true peace and purpose.