Daily Readings - Sat Jan 01 2022
Numbers
22And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,23Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them,24The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:25The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:26The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.27And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them.
Galatians
4But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,5To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.6And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.7Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
Luke
16And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.17And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.18And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.19But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.21And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we journey through the narrative of God’s blessings and redemption, culminating in the birth of Jesus Christ. The first reading from Numbers presents the priestly blessing, a sacred ritual where Aaron and his sons invoke God’s favor upon the Israelites. This blessing, still cherished today, symbolizes God’s enduring desire to bestow peace and protection upon His people. The context of this passage is rooted in the Levitical laws, highlighting God’s presence and care for His chosen people.
The second reading from Galatians shifts our focus to the New Testament, where Paul explains the profound implications of Jesus’ birth. Jesus, born under the law, redeems humanity, enabling us to become children of God. This adoption grants us the Spirit, who cries out to God as our loving Father, transforming us from servants to heirs. The context here is Paul addressing Gentile converts, emphasizing their inclusion in God’s family through faith in Christ.
The Gospel from Luke vividly portrays the shepherds’ visit to the newborn Jesus, Mary’s contemplation, and the naming of Jesus. This scene, part of the Nativity story, underscores the fulfillment of prophecy and the arrival of the Messiah. The readings interconnect, showing the progression from the Old Testament blessing to its fulfillment in Christ, who brings ultimate redemption and adoption into God’s family.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to embrace our identity as children of God. We are blessed in Christ and called to live with the peace and grace He offers. Like Mary, we are encouraged to reflect on our spiritual experiences, allowing them to deepen our faith. The moral lesson here is recognizing our adoption as God’s children, living with the confidence of our inheritance, and sharing this blessing with others. May we trust in God’s plan and embody the love and peace of Christ in our lives.