Daily Readings - Mon Apr 08 2024
Isaiah
10Moreover the LORD spake again unto Ahaz, saying,11Ask thee a sign of the LORD thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above.12But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the LORD.13And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also?14Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Hebrews
4For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.5Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:6In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.7Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.8Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;9Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.10By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Luke
26And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,27To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.28And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.29And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.30And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.31And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.32He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:33And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.34Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?35And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.36And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.37For with God nothing shall be impossible.38And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter profound moments of faith and divine intervention that guide us toward a deeper understanding of God’s plan. The first reading from Isaiah presents King Ahaz with a sign from God—a virgin bearing a son named Immanuel, symbolizing hope amidst crisis. This prophecy, rooted in a time of uncertainty, offers a glimpse of God’s enduring presence. The second reading from Hebrews highlights the inadequacy of animal sacrifices and elevates Christ’s sacrifice as the fulfillment of God’s will, emphasizing its superiority over the old covenant. The Gospel of Luke brings us to the Annunciation, where Mary, with unwavering trust, accepts her role in the Incarnation, exemplifying surrender to God’s will.
These readings intertwine beautifully, as Isaiah’s prophecy finds its fulfillment in Mary’s “Yes.” The Annunciation is not just a moment of personal faith but a pivotal event in salvation history. Hebrews clarifies the significance of Christ’s sacrifice, illustrating how His obedience to God’s will surpasses all previous offerings, providing true redemption. Together, they reveal a narrative of trust, sacrifice, and divine love.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to reflect on our trust in God’s plan. Like Mary, we are called to embrace God’s will, even when uncertain. Christ’s sacrifice, as explained in Hebrews, reminds us of the depth of God’s love and the true nature of sacrifice—one of self-giving love. As we navigate life’s challenges, may we find strength in Mary’s faith and Christ’s sacrifice, trusting in God’s providence and living as instruments of His love.