Daily Catholic Mass Readings for December 19, 2018
First Reading: Judges 13.2-7, 24-25a
2A certain man of Zorah, named Manoah, from the clan of the Danites, had a wife who was sterile and remained childless.3The angel of the LORD appeared to her and said, "You are sterile and childless, but you are going to conceive and have a son.4Now see to it that you drink no wine or other fermented drink and that you do not eat anything unclean,5because you will conceive and give birth to a son. No razor may be used on his head, because the boy is to be a Nazirite, set apart to God from birth, and he will begin the deliverance of Israel from the hands of the Philistines."6Then the woman went to her husband and told him, "A man of God came to me. He looked like an angel of God, very awesome. I didn't ask him where he came from, and he didn't tell me his name.7But he said to me, 'You will conceive and give birth to a son. Now then, drink no wine or other fermented drink and do not eat anything unclean, because the boy will be a Nazirite of God from birth until the day of his death.'"24The woman gave birth to a boy and named him Samson. He grew and the LORD blessed him,25and the Spirit of the LORD began to stir him while he was in Mahaneh Dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol.
Psalm 71
1In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame.2Rescue me and deliver me in your righteousness; turn your ear to me and save me.3Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.4Deliver me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of evil and cruel men.5For you have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD, my confidence since my youth.6From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother's womb. I will ever praise you.7I have become like a portent to many, but you are my strong refuge.8My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long.9Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone.10For my enemies speak against me; those who wait to kill me conspire together.11They say, "God has forsaken him; pursue him and seize him, for no one will rescue him."12Be not far from me, O God; come quickly, O my God, to help me.13May my accusers perish in shame; may those who want to harm me be covered with scorn and disgrace.14But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.15My mouth will tell of your righteousness, of your salvation all day long, though I know not its measure.16I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, O Sovereign LORD; I will proclaim your righteousness, yours alone.17Since my youth, O God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.18Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come.19Your righteousness reaches to the skies, O God, you who have done great things. Who, O God, is like you?20Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up.21You will increase my honor and comfort me once again.22I will praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, O my God; I will sing praise to you with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel.23My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you- I, whom you have redeemed.24My tongue will tell of your righteous acts all day long, for those who wanted to harm me have been put to shame and confusion.
Gospel: Luke 1.5-25
5In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron.6Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commandments and regulations blamelessly.7But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren; and they were both well along in years.8Once when Zechariah's division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God,9he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense.10And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.11Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense.12When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear.13But the angel said to him: "Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.14He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth,15for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth.16Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God.17And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous--to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."18Zechariah asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years."19The angel answered, "I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news.20And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time."21Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple.22When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.23When his time of service was completed, he returned home.24After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion.25"The Lord has done this for me," she said. "In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people."
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two remarkable stories of divine intervention and miraculous births, each highlighting God’s profound plan and the importance of trust in His providence. The first reading from Judges tells the story of Manoah and his wife, who, despite being barren, are promised a son, Samson, through an angelic visitation. Samson is set apart as a Nazirite, dedicated to God from birth, destined to deliver Israel from the Philistines. The Gospel reading from Luke presents Zechariah and Elizabeth, an elderly and childless couple, who are visited by the angel Gabriel. They are promised a son, John the Baptist, who will be filled with the Holy Spirit from birth and prepare the way for the Lord. Zechariah’s skepticism results in his temporary muteness, underscoring the theme of faith and trust.
Both narratives share a common thread of miraculous conception and the divine appointment of these children to significant roles in God’s plan. Samson and John, though different in their missions, exemplify being set apart for God’s work. Their stories remind us that our lives are not mere coincidences but are intricately woven into God’s larger plan. The context of these readings is rooted in a time of anticipation and preparation—Samson for the deliverance of Israel and John as the forerunner of Christ. These stories emphasize the importance of dedication and trust, challenging us to embrace our unique roles in God’s plan.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to reflect on our trust in God’s plan and our willingness to be set apart for His service. Just as Manoah’s wife and Elizabeth trusted God’s promises despite their circumstances, we are called to embrace our own unique vocations with faith. The moral lesson here is clear: God’s plan is often beyond our understanding, but it is in our trust and obedience that we find true purpose. Let us, like these biblical figures, surrender to God’s will, allowing Him to use us in ways that align with His greater plan. In doing so, we become instruments of His grace, living out our faith actively and faithfully.