Daily Readings - Sun Dec 31 2017
Genesis
1After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward. "2But Abram said, "O Sovereign LORD, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?"3And Abram said, "You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir."4Then the word of the LORD came to him: "This man will not be your heir, but a son coming from your own body will be your heir."5He took him outside and said, "Look up at the heavens and count the stars-if indeed you can count them." Then he said to him, "So shall your offspring be."6Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.
3Abram fell facedown, and God said to him,4"As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations.5No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations.15God also said to Abraham, "As for Sarai your wife, you are no longer to call her Sarai; her name will be Sarah.16I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her."
1Now the LORD was gracious to Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what he had promised.2Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him.3Abraham gave the name Isaac to the son Sarah bore him.4When his son Isaac was eight days old, Abraham circumcised him, as God commanded him.5Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him.6Sarah said, "God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me."7And she added, "Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age."
Hebrews
8By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.11By faith Abraham, even though he was past age--and Sarah herself was barren--was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise.12And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.17By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son,18even though God had said to him, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned."19Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death.
Luke
22When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord25Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.26It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ.27Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required,34Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against,35so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too."39When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth.40And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.
Sermon
Today’s readings invite us to reflect on the profound theme of faith and trust in God’s promises. In the first reading from Genesis, we encounter Abraham and Sarah, who, despite their advanced age, trust in God’s promise of a son, Isaac. This narrative underscores the theme of faith leading to unexpected blessings, as God fulfills His promise through their unwavering trust. The second reading from Hebrews further elaborates on this theme, highlighting Abraham and Sarah as exemplars of faith, who trusted in God’s promises even when circumstances seemed impossible. This passage reminds us that true faith can lead to the fulfillment of God’s plan, even beyond human understanding.
The Gospel from Luke beautifully illustrates the fulfillment of these promises in the person of Jesus. The presentation of Jesus in the temple, where Simeon recognizes Him as the Messiah, serves as a fulfillment of the promises made to Abraham and Sarah. Simeon’s prophecy about Jesus being a sign of contradiction and a sword piercing Mary’s soul emphasizes the transformative power of faith, which can lead to both ruin and resurrection. This narrative invites us to recognize the divine plan in our lives, just as Simeon did, and to trust in God’s promises, even when the path is unclear.
In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to embrace faith as Abraham and Sarah did. Like them, we may face challenges that seem insurmountable, but trusting in God’s promises can lead to unexpected blessings. Just as Isaac was born to elderly parents and Jesus was born to a virgin, God’s plans often defy human logic. Let us, therefore, cultivate unwavering faith, attentive to God’s presence and promises in our lives. May we, like Simeon, recognize the divine plan and trust in God’s transformative power, leading us to a deeper understanding of His love and purpose.