Daily Readings - Sun Dec 20 2020
2 Samuel
1After the king was settled in his palace and the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies around him,2he said to Nathan the prophet, "Here I am, living in a palace of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent."3Nathan replied to the king, "Whatever you have in mind, go ahead and do it, for the LORD is with you."4That night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying:5"Go and tell my servant David, 'This is what the LORD says: Are you the one to build me a house to dwell in?8"Now then, tell my servant David, 'This is what the LORD Almighty says: I took you from the pasture and from following the flock to be ruler over my people Israel.9I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men of the earth.10And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed. Wicked people will not oppress them anymore, as they did at the beginning11and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders over my people Israel. I will also give you rest from all your enemies. "'The LORD declares to you that the LORD himself will establish a house for you:12When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom.14I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with the rod of men, with floggings inflicted by men.16Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.'"
Romans
25Now to him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past,26but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey him--27to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.
Luke
26In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee,27to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary.28The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."29Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.30But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.31You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.32He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,33and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."34"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"35The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.36Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month.37For nothing is impossible with God."38"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.
Sermon
In today's readings, we journey through the unfolding of God's promise and its fulfillment. The first reading from 2 Samuel recounts Nathan's prophetic message to David, assuring him of a lasting dynasty and a throne that will endure forever. This promise is not just about David's earthly kingdom but points to a greater, eternal kingdom through his descendant, Jesus Christ. The second reading from Romans highlights the revelation of this mystery through the prophets, emphasizing that the Gospel is for all people, bringing glory to God. The Gospel of Luke presents the Annunciation, where Mary, with humility and faith, accepts God's will, embodying the obedience and trust that fulfills the promises made to David.
These readings intertwine the Old Testament promise with the New Testament fulfillment. David's throne finds its ultimate reality in Jesus, the Son of David and the Son of God. Paul's letter underscores that this mystery, once hidden, is now revealed to all through Jesus Christ. Mary's "Yes" to God's plan exemplifies the faith and trust required to participate in this divine plan.
In our daily lives, we are called to trust in God's plan, just as Mary did. Her response, "Let it be done to me according to your word," invites us to surrender to God's will. Like David, we are to have faith in God's promises, knowing that His plan is always greater than ours. As we reflect on these readings, let us embrace the obedience and trust modeled by David and Mary, allowing God to work through us to fulfill His eternal purposes.