Daily Readings - Sun Dec 18 2022
Isaiah
10Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz,11"Ask the LORD your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights."12But Ahaz said, "I will not ask; I will not put the LORD to the test."13Then Isaiah said, "Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of my God also?14Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
Romans
1Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God--2the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures3regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David,4and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.5Through him and for his name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith.6And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.7To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Matthew
18This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.19Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.20But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.21She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."22All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:23"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"--which means, "God with us."24When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.
Sermon
The readings today weave together a powerful narrative of faith, trust, and the fulfillment of God’s promises. In the first reading from Isaiah, we hear the prophet offering King Ahaz a sign from God—a virgin who will conceive and bear a son named Immanuel, meaning “God is with us.” This promise, made in a time of uncertainty and crisis, is a reminder that God’s presence is always near, even in the darkest moments. The second reading from Romans introduces us to St. Paul, who writes about the Gospel of God, which was promised through the prophets and fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Paul emphasizes that Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection are the culmination of God’s plan to bring salvation to all people. Finally, in the Gospel, we witness the quiet faith of Joseph, who, despite confusion and fear, trusts in God’s plan when an angel assures him that Mary’s child is of the Holy Spirit. Joseph’s obedience and trust in God’s word fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah, as Jesus, the Emmanuel, is born into the world.
These readings are deeply connected, as they all point to the same truth: God’s plan of salvation is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Isaiah’s prophecy finds its fulfillment in the Gospel, where Mary, the virgin, conceives and gives birth to Jesus, the Son of God. Paul’s letter to the Romans bridges the Old Testament promise with the New Testament reality, emphasizing that Jesus is both the descendant of David and the Son of God, raised from the dead. Together, these readings remind us that God’s promises are always fulfilled, though not always in the way we expect. Joseph’s example teaches us the importance of trusting in God’s plan, even when it seems unclear or challenging.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to reflect on our own trust in God’s providence. Like Joseph, we may face situations that seem uncertain or difficult to understand. Yet, the Gospel assures us that God is always with us, even in the midst of confusion. The name “Emmanuel” reminds us that God’s presence is not distant but intimately close, especially in the challenges we face. Let us strive to imitate Joseph’s quiet faith and obedience, trusting that God’s plan for us is always one of love and salvation. May we, like Mary and Joseph, open our hearts to the Holy Spirit and allow God’s will to be fulfilled in our lives.