Daily Readings - Sun Dec 05 2021
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 journey through themes of hope, assurance, and preparation, weaving a narrative from the Old Testament to the New. The first reading from Baruch paints a vivid picture of Jerusalem shedding sorrow and donning eternal glory, with God's promise of justice and honor. This post-exilic text speaks to a people yearning for restoration, envisioning a future where the scattered return, guided by God's light. The second reading from Philippians shifts focus to the present, with Paul expressing gratitude and confidence in God's ongoing work in the Philippians. He prays for their growth in charity and understanding, assuring them of spiritual completion.
The Gospel from Luke introduces John the Baptist, whose call to repentance and baptism echoes Isaiah's prophecy of preparing the Lord's way. This historical setting underscores the universal call to ready our hearts, leveling spiritual valleys and straightening crooked paths.
These readings intertwine beautifully, each addressing preparation and trust. Baruch's hope for Jerusalem's restoration mirrors the spiritual preparation John advocates, while Paul's assurance in God's work reflects the trust needed as we navigate our faith journeys.
In our daily lives, these themes call us to trust in God's plan and actively prepare our hearts. Just as Jerusalem awaited restoration and the Philippians trusted in God's work, we too can have faith in His guidance. Let us embrace repentance, live justly, and trust in God's promise to complete His work in us. As we prepare our hearts, may we walk in His light, ever ready for His glory.