Daily Readings - Fri Mar 19 2021
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 invite us to reflect on the mystery of God’s promises and the faith required to trust in His plan. In the first reading from 2 Samuel, Nathan speaks to King David about the divine promise to establish his dynasty forever. This promise points not only to the earthly kingdom of David but ultimately to the eternal kingdom of Jesus Christ, the Son of David. The reading reminds us that God’s plans often unfold in ways we cannot fully understand, and His timing is not our own.
In the second reading from Romans, St. Paul reflects on the faith of Abraham, who trusted God’s promise to make him the father of many nations even when humanly speaking, it seemed impossible. Paul emphasizes that Abraham’s faith was reckoned as righteousness, and this faith is the foundation of our relationship with God. The reading reminds us that God’s promises are not limited by human logic or circumstances; they are rooted in His faithfulness and grace.
The Gospel from Matthew brings us to the quiet, humble moment when Joseph, the husband of Mary, receives a message from an angel in a dream. Faced with a situation that could have led to fear or doubt, Joseph chooses to trust God’s plan. His obedience and faith in the divine message demonstrate the kind of trust we are called to have in our own lives. Just as Joseph accepted Mary as his wife and embraced his role in God’s plan, we are invited to surrender to God’s will, even when it challenges us to go beyond our own understanding.
These readings remind us that faith is not about having all the answers but about trusting in God’s promises. Like Abraham, we are called to hope against hope, believing that God can bring life out of nothingness. Like Joseph, we are called to obey even when the path is unclear. And like David, we are reminded that God’s plans are bigger than our own, and His kingdom endures forever. May we, like these figures, allow our faith to guide us, trusting that God’s promises will unfold in His time and in His way.