Daily Readings - Mon Dec 18 2023
Jeremiah
5"The days are coming," declares the LORD, "when I will raise up to David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land.6In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness.7"So then, the days are coming," declares the LORD, "when people will no longer say, 'As surely as the LORD lives, who brought the Israelites up out of Egypt,'8but they will say, 'As surely as the LORD lives, who brought the descendants of Israel up out of the land of the north and out of all the countries where he had banished them.' Then they will live in their own land."
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
In today's readings, we encounter profound messages of hope and trust. The first reading from Jeremiah speaks of a future leader from David's lineage, a righteous branch who will bring justice and restore Israel. This prophecy offers hope to a people in exile, promising a time when God's justice will prevail. The Gospel from Matthew tells the story of Joseph, who, despite initial uncertainty, trusts God's plan when an angel assures him that Mary's child is divine. This narrative highlights the importance of faith and obedience, even in unexpected circumstances.
These readings are intricately connected, as Jeremiah's prophecy finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The righteous branch foretold by Jeremiah is realized in Jesus, who embodies justice and salvation. Matthew's account of Joseph illustrates the human response to divine plans, showing how trust in God's promises can lead to courageous actions. Together, they remind us that our faith is rooted in a long history of God's promises and their fulfillment.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to reflect on our own trust in God. Like Joseph, we may face situations that challenge our understanding, but it is in these moments that we are called to trust in God's plan. Recognizing Jesus as Emmanuel, "God with us," we find comfort in His presence. The moral lesson here is clear: faith and trust in God's promises guide us through uncertainty, leading us to act with courage and hope.