Daily Readings - Sun Dec 08 2024
Philippians
3I thank my God every time I remember you.4In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy5because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now,6being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.8God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.9And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,10so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ,11filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ--to the glory and praise of God.
Luke
1In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar--when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene--2during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the desert.3He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.4As is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: "A voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.5Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth.6And all mankind will see God's salvation.'"
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of preparation, hope, and living a virtuous life. The first reading from Baruch speaks to Jerusalem, urging her to cast off sorrow and embrace the eternal glory given by God. This passage, likely written during the Babylonian exile, offers hope of redemption and return, emphasizing God's promise to lead His people with joy into His majestic light. The second reading from Philippians expresses Paul's gratitude and confidence in the Philippians' spiritual journey. He prays for their love to abound with knowledge and understanding, so they may live blamelessly and bear fruit in their lives, glorifying God. The Gospel from Luke introduces John the Baptist, who calls for repentance and preparation for the Lord's coming, quoting Isaiah's imagery of leveling paths and straightening roads, symbolizing spiritual readiness.
These readings connect through the idea of preparation and living in accordance with God's will. Baruch and Luke both highlight the need to prepare for God's glory, while Philippians emphasizes living a life that reflects virtuous growth. Together, they remind us that our faith journey requires continuous preparation and a commitment to living in a way that aligns with God's plan.
In our daily lives, we are called to embrace this preparation. We can do so by reflecting on our actions and intentions, ensuring they align with God's will. Like John the Baptist, we should be voices calling others to repentance and readiness. As Paul prayed for the Philippians, we too can pray for the grace to grow in love and understanding, living lives that are fruitful and pleasing to God. Let us strive to walk diligently in God's honor, trusting in His plan and promises, and may we always be prepared to receive His grace and live in His light.