Daily Readings - Sun Dec 09 2018
Philippians
3I thank my God every time I remember you.4In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy5because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now,6being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.8God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.9And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,10so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ,11filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ--to the glory and praise of God.
Luke
1In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar--when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene--2during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the desert.3He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.4As is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: "A voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.5Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth.6And all mankind will see God's salvation.'"
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter themes of preparation, hope, and spiritual growth. The first reading from Baruch offers a prophetic vision of Jerusalem's restoration, urging the city to shed its sorrow and don the garments of eternal glory. This passage speaks of a future where Jerusalem's children return, guided by God's light, emphasizing the transformative power of divine grace. The second reading from Philippians shifts focus to the community, with Paul expressing gratitude for their partnership in the Gospel. He prays for their love to abound with knowledge and understanding, striving for blamelessness on the day of Christ. This highlights the importance of continuous spiritual growth and virtuous living. The Gospel from Luke introduces John the Baptist, who calls for repentance and the preparation of a straight path for the Lord, echoing Isaiah's words. This serves as a call to ready ourselves for Christ's arrival, both in our hearts and in our world.
These readings intertwine by emphasizing preparation—whether for the return of the exiles, the deepening of faith, or the coming of Jesus. Baruch and Luke both stress the need to clear the way, metaphorically and spiritually, for divine presence. Paul's letter to the Philippians bridges these ideas by focusing on the community's spiritual journey, illustrating that true preparation involves growth in love and wisdom.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to reflect on our own preparation for encountering Christ. Like John the Baptist, we are called to clear the obstacles in our hearts, making straight the paths for God's grace. This involves repentance, seeking forgiveness, and living with integrity. As Paul prayed for the Philippians, we too can pray for the grace to grow in love and understanding, ensuring our lives bear the fruit of righteousness. May we embrace this call to prepare our hearts and lives, walking diligently in the honor of God, as we await the revelation of His glory.