Daily Readings - Fri Sep 08 2017
First Reading - Romans 8.28-30 or Micah 5.2-5a
Romans
28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.29For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.30And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
Micah
2"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. "3Therefore Israel will be abandoned until the time when she who is in labor gives birth and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites.4He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth.5And he will be their peace. When the Assyrian invades our land and marches through our fortresses, we will raise against him seven shepherds, even eight leaders of men.
Matthew
18This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.19Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.20But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.21She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."22All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:23"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"--which means, "God with us."
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two profound expressions of God’s providence and the call to trust in His plan. The first reading from Romans reminds us that for those who love God, all things work together for good. St. Paul assures us that we are predestined to be conformed to the image of God’s Son, called, justified, and ultimately glorified. This passage invites us to see our lives as part of a larger divine plan, where even the challenges we face are opportunities for growth in holiness. The Gospel, from Matthew, presents us with the story of Joseph, a just and faithful man who is called to trust in God’s plan despite the unexpected and challenging circumstances of Mary’s pregnancy. Through Joseph’s example, we see the importance of humility, obedience, and trust in God’s providence.
Both readings emphasize the theme of trust in God’s plan. In Romans, this trust is rooted in the theological truth of our predestination to share in the glory of Christ. In Matthew, it is lived out in the concrete circumstances of Joseph’s life. Just as Joseph was called to accept Mary as his wife and to care for the Son of God, we too are called to embrace our own vocations and to trust that God is at work in our lives, even when the path ahead seems uncertain. The readings remind us that our lives are not mere coincidences but are part of a divine plan that unfolds in ways we may not always understand.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: Do we truly trust that God is working all things for our good? Are we open to embracing the unexpected challenges and opportunities that come our way? Like Joseph, we are called to be faithful and obedient, even when the road ahead seems difficult. May we, like him, trust in God’s providence and allow ourselves to be instruments of His plan. In doing so, we will find peace in the midst of uncertainty and fulfill our own unique role in the story of salvation.