Daily Readings - Thu Mar 19 2020

2 Samuel

4And it came to pass that night, that the word of the LORD came unto Nathan, saying,5Go and tell my servant David, Thus saith the LORD, Shalt thou build me an house for me to dwell in?12And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.13He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.14I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men:16And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.

Romans

13For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.16Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,17As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.18Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.22And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.

Gospel - Matthew 1.16, 18-21, 24a or Luke 2.41-51a

Matthew

16And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.18Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.19Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.20But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.21And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.24Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:

Luke

41Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.42And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.43And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.44But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.45And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.46And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.47And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.48And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.49And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?50And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.51And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

Sermon

The readings today weave together a beautiful tapestry of God’s promise, faith, and trust in His plan. In the first reading from 2 Samuel, Nathan speaks to David about the divine promise: a dynasty that will last forever, with God as a father to David’s offspring. This is not just a political promise but a spiritual one, rooted in God’s faithfulness and love. The second reading from Romans deepens this by highlighting Abraham’s faith. Paul reminds us that Abraham’s trust in God’s promise—to be the father of many nations—was not based on human effort or law but on grace and faith. This faith, Paul says, is the foundation of our relationship with God. In the Gospel, Matthew presents Joseph, a man of quiet faith, who trusts God’s plan even when it seems unexpected. An angel assures him that Mary’s child is of the Holy Spirit, and Joseph obediently accepts his role in God’s plan. These readings are deeply connected. The promise to David and the faith of Abraham find their fulfillment in Jesus, the Messiah, who is the ultimate expression of God’s faithfulness. Joseph’s trust in the face of uncertainty mirrors the faith of Abraham and the hope of David. Together, they remind us that God’s promises are not limited by human understanding or circumstances. They call us to trust in God’s timing and plan, even when the path ahead seems unclear. In our daily lives, these readings invite us to reflect on our own faith and trust in God. Like Abraham, we are called to hope beyond hope, to believe in God’s promises even when they seem impossible. Like Joseph, we are called to obedience and trust, even when the circumstances of our lives are challenging or unexpected. And like David, we are reminded that God’s faithfulness endures forever, even when our own efforts or plans may fail. May we, like these biblical figures, place our trust in God, knowing that His plan is always greater than our own.