Daily Readings - Wed Dec 18 2024
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
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of trust, faith, and God’s providential plan. In the first reading from Jeremiah, we hear a messianic prophecy about a righteous branch from David who will reign with wisdom and justice. This passage was written during a time of great turmoil for Judah, when the people were longing for a savior to restore their nation. Jeremiah’s words offer hope, promising that God will fulfill his promise to David and bring salvation to his people. The prophet emphasizes that this savior will not only bring justice but also restore Israel’s confidence in God’s presence and protection.
In the Gospel, we see this promise beginning to unfold through the story of Joseph. Matthew’s account of Joseph’s response to Mary’s pregnancy highlights his deep trust in God’s plan, even in the face of uncertainty and potential scandal. Joseph, as a just and faithful man, could have chosen a different path, but instead, he listened to the Angel’s message and obeyed without hesitation. His actions demonstrate the kind of faith that allows God’s will to take precedence over human plans. The Gospel also reminds us that the birth of Jesus fulfills the prophecy from Isaiah, where Emmanuel, “God with us,” comes to dwell among his people.
These readings challenge us to reflect on how we trust in God’s plan in our own lives. Like Joseph, we are often faced with unexpected situations that require us to let go of our own understanding and instead rely on God’s wisdom. Jeremiah’s prophecy encourages us to have hope, knowing that God is always working to bring about justice and salvation. As we strive to live out our faith, may we imitate Joseph’s obedience and trust in God’s plan, even when the path ahead seems uncertain. Let us remember that God is always with us, guiding us toward his will, and may we, like Mary and Joseph, say “yes” to whatever he asks of us.