Daily Readings - Sun Jan 01 2023
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
The readings today invite us to reflect on the profound blessings and gifts that God has bestowed upon us. In the first reading from Numbers, we hear the beautiful priestly blessing that God instructed Moses to share with the people of Israel. This blessing is not just a ritualistic phrase but a heartfelt prayer for God’s favor, mercy, and peace. It reminds us that God’s presence is always with us, offering protection and grace. The context of this passage is rooted in the ancient Israelites’ deep desire to experience God’s closeness, and it serves as a reminder that we, too, can seek and find God’s blessing in our lives.
The second reading from Galatians shifts our focus to the ultimate blessing of salvation through Jesus Christ. St. Paul explains that in the fullness of time, God sent His Son to redeem us, making us adopted children of God. This adoption is not just a legal status but a deeply personal relationship, as the Spirit of God dwells within us, enabling us to call God “Abba, Father.” The context here is Paul’s emphasis on the transformative power of grace, which frees us from the constraints of the law and invites us to live as heirs of God’s kingdom. This reading beautifully connects to the first, as it reveals that the ultimate blessing of God is not just His presence but His intimate relationship with us through Christ.
The Gospel from Luke brings us to the scene of the shepherds visiting the newborn Jesus. After hearing the angelic announcement, they hasten to find Mary, Joseph, and the infant Jesus lying in a manger. The shepherds’ response—glorifying and praising God—is a model for us. Mary, on the other hand, ponders these events in her heart, showing us the value of reflection and gratitude. The context of this passage is the fulfillment of God’s promise to send a Savior, and it ties together the themes of blessing, adoption, and divine presence. Just as the shepherds and Mary responded to God’s gift with faith and wonder, we are called to do the same in our daily lives.
In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to recognize the blessings of God, embrace our identity as beloved children of God, and respond with gratitude and praise. Just as the shepherds and Mary pondered the mystery of God’s love, we too can take time to reflect on how God is present in our lives. Let us ask for the grace to live with the confidence of being adopted sons and daughters of God, and may we, like the shepherds, glorify and praise God for the gifts He has given us. Ultimately, these readings remind us that the greatest blessing we have received is Jesus Christ, who brings us peace, mercy, and the assurance of God’s eternal love.