Daily Readings - Sun Dec 31 2017
First Reading - Genesis 15.1-6; 17.3b-5, 15-16; 21.1-7
Genesis
After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.And, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir.And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be.And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of people shall be of her.
And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah as he had spoken.For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.And Abraham called the name of his son that was born unto him, whom Sarah bare to him, Isaac.And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac being eight days old, as God had commanded him.And Abraham was an hundred years old, when his son Isaac was born unto him.And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me.And she said, Who would have said unto Abraham, that Sarah should have given children suck? for I have born him a son in his old age.
Second Reading - Hebrews 11.8, 11-12, 17-19
Hebrews
By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.
Gospel - Luke 2.22, 25-27, 34-35, 39-40
Luke
And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
Sermon
Today’s readings invite us to reflect on the profound theme of faith and trust in God’s promises. In the first reading from Genesis, we encounter Abraham and Sarah, who, despite their advanced age, trust in God’s promise of a son, Isaac. This narrative underscores the theme of faith leading to unexpected blessings, as God fulfills His promise through their unwavering trust. The second reading from Hebrews further elaborates on this theme, highlighting Abraham and Sarah as exemplars of faith, who trusted in God’s promises even when circumstances seemed impossible. This passage reminds us that true faith can lead to the fulfillment of God’s plan, even beyond human understanding.
The Gospel from Luke beautifully illustrates the fulfillment of these promises in the person of Jesus. The presentation of Jesus in the temple, where Simeon recognizes Him as the Messiah, serves as a fulfillment of the promises made to Abraham and Sarah. Simeon’s prophecy about Jesus being a sign of contradiction and a sword piercing Mary’s soul emphasizes the transformative power of faith, which can lead to both ruin and resurrection. This narrative invites us to recognize the divine plan in our lives, just as Simeon did, and to trust in God’s promises, even when the path is unclear.
In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to embrace faith as Abraham and Sarah did. Like them, we may face challenges that seem insurmountable, but trusting in God’s promises can lead to unexpected blessings. Just as Isaac was born to elderly parents and Jesus was born to a virgin, God’s plans often defy human logic. Let us, therefore, cultivate unwavering faith, attentive to God’s presence and promises in our lives. May we, like Simeon, recognize the divine plan and trust in God’s transformative power, leading us to a deeper understanding of His love and purpose.