Daily Readings - Sun Dec 24 2023
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.14I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with the rod of men, with floggings inflicted by men.16Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.'"
Romans
25Now to him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past,26but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey him--27to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.
Luke
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
In today's readings, we explore the theme of God's promises and the call to faith, weaving together narratives from the Old Testament, the Epistles, and the Gospels. The first reading from 2 Samuel recounts Nathan's prophecy to David, where God promises to establish David's dynasty, highlighting His faithfulness and eternal plans. The Gospel of Luke presents the Annunciation, where Mary, with unwavering faith, accepts God's will, exemplifying obedience and trust. The epistle from Romans connects these narratives, revealing God's wisdom and glory through the mystery of Christ, now made known to all.
These readings intertwine to illustrate God's overarching plan. The promise to David finds its fulfillment in Jesus, the Messiah, while Romans underscores the revelation of this plan through Christ. Mary's response embodies the faith required to embrace God's promises, even when they seem improbable.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to trust in God's plan, even amidst uncertainty. Like Mary, we are called to surrender to God's will with faith and obedience. As we navigate life's challenges, let us reflect on the surrender that comes from deep faith, allowing God's plan to unfold in our lives, just as it did for David and Mary.