Daily Readings - Sat Dec 24 2022
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.16Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.'"
Luke
67His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:68"Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people.69He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David70(as he said through his holy prophets of long ago),71salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us--72to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant,73the oath he swore to our father Abraham:74to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear75in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.76And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,77to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins,78because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven79to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound moments of divine promise and fulfillment. The first reading from 2 Samuel recounts King David's desire to build a house for God, only to be told that God will instead establish a house for David—a promise of an eternal kingdom through his lineage. This passage highlights God's faithfulness and the significance of the Davidic covenant, which points to the ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Gospel reading from Luke presents Zechariah's joyful prophecy, known as the Benedictus, where he praises God for the redemption brought through the house of David and the role of John the Baptist in preparing the way for the Messiah. Together, these readings underscore the themes of divine promise, faithfulness, and the preparation for God's saving plan.
Both readings are deeply connected, as they reflect on God's promises and their fulfillment in unexpected ways. In 2 Samuel, David's humility and trust in God's plan are evident, even when the immediate fulfillment isn't what he envisioned. Similarly, in Luke, Zechariah's prophecy looks forward to the fulfillment of God's promises through the coming of Jesus. These passages remind us that God's timing and ways are not our own, and that His plans often unfold in ways we cannot fully anticipate. They invite us to trust in God's faithfulness and to live with hope, knowing that His promises are always at work, even when we cannot see the full picture.
In our daily lives, these readings call us to reflect on our own trust in God's plan. Like David, we may have desires or plans for our lives, but we must remain open to how God might redirect them for His greater purpose. Like Zechariah, we are called to proclaim God's mercy and salvation, even in the face of uncertainty. As we navigate the challenges and joys of life, may we find strength in the knowledge that God is always at work, preparing the way for us and for others. Let us live with faith, hope, and gratitude, trusting that His promises will guide us on the path of peace.