Daily Catholic Mass Readings for December 20, 2023
First Reading: Isaiah 7.10-14; 8.10d
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.
Psalm 24
1The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;2for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters.3Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place?4He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false.5He will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God his Savior.6Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob. Selah7Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.8Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.9Lift up your heads, O you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.10Who is he, this King of glory? The LORD Almighty- he is the King of glory. Selah
Gospel: Luke 1.26-38
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
The readings today invite us to reflect on the profound themes of faith, trust, and God's divine plan. In the first reading from Isaiah, we encounter a moment of crisis for King Ahaz of Judah, as the kingdom faces threat from its neighbors. Isaiah offers Ahaz a sign from God—a virgin shall conceive and bear a son named Immanuel, a testament to God's presence and deliverance. Ahaz's hesitation underscores the human struggle to trust in God's providence, yet the prophecy stands as a beacon of hope, reminding us that God is always with us, even in uncertain times.
In the Gospel, Luke presents the Annunciation, where the Angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she will bear a son, Jesus, who will be the Son of the Most High. Mary's response, though initially perplexed, is one of profound faith and surrender: "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. Let it be done to me according to your word." This moment is not just a personal encounter but a pivotal event in salvation history, fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah. Mary's "yes" becomes a model for us all, teaching us to trust in God's plan, even when it seems impossible or beyond our understanding.
These readings call us to reflect on our own trust in God. Like Ahaz, we may face moments of doubt or fear, but the promise of Immanuel—God with us—remains steadfast. Like Mary, we are invited to surrender our will to God's, embracing His plan with faith and courage. In our daily lives, this means trusting in God's presence, even when the path ahead is unclear, and saying "yes" to His will, just as Mary did. May we, like Mary, become vessels of God's grace, allowing His divine plan to unfold in our lives and in the world around us.