Daily Readings - Sun Dec 27 2020
Genesis
1After 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.2And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?3And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.4And, 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.5And 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.6And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
3And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,4As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.5Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.15And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be.16And 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.
1And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah as he had spoken.2For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.3And Abraham called the name of his son that was born unto him, whom Sarah bare to him, Isaac.4And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac being eight days old, as God had commanded him.5And Abraham was an hundred years old, when his son Isaac was born unto him.6And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me.7And 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.
Hebrews
8By 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.11Through 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.12Therefore 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.17By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,18Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:19Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.
Luke
22And 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;25And, 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.26And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.27And 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,34And 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;35Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.39And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.40And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful stories of faith, trust, and the fulfillment of God’s promises. The first reading from Genesis recounts the story of Abraham and Sarah, who, despite their advanced age and Sarah’s barrenness, trusted in God’s promise of a son. This narrative is a testament to the boundless nature of God’s power and the importance of unwavering faith. The second reading from Hebrews deepens this theme, highlighting how Abraham and Sarah’s faith led to the miraculous birth of Isaac, and how Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Isaac demonstrates the depth of his trust in God’s plan. Finally, the Gospel from Luke presents Simeon, a man of deep faith, who recognizes the infant Jesus as the fulfillment of God’s promise of salvation for all people.
These readings are deeply interconnected, as they all point to the transformative power of faith. Abraham and Sarah’s story shows us that God’s promises often unfold in ways we cannot anticipate, and that His timing is always perfect. The Letter to the Hebrews reminds us that faith is not merely intellectual assent but a radical surrender to God’s will, even when it demands great sacrifice. In the Gospel, Simeon’s encounter with Jesus reveals that faith is not just about waiting for God’s promises but also about recognizing and embracing them when they are fulfilled.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: How do we respond to God’s promises in our own lives? Do we, like Abraham and Sarah, trust in His plan even when it seems impossible? Do we, like Simeon, rejoice in the fulfillment of His promises, even if they come in unexpected ways? Let us allow these stories to inspire us to deepen our faith and to trust more fully in God’s providence. May we, like Abraham, Sarah, and Simeon, be willing to surrender to God’s will, knowing that His plans for us are always greater than we can imagine.