Daily Readings - Fri Dec 20 2024
Isaiah
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.
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 encounter profound moments of faith and trust in God's plan. The first reading from Isaiah presents King Ahaz, who is reluctant to ask for a sign, yet Isaiah assures him that God will provide one—the birth of Immanuel, a sign of hope and divine presence. This prophecy points to the Messiah, emphasizing God's faithfulness even in uncertain times.
The Gospel reading shifts to the Annunciation, where Mary, though initially perplexed, embodies complete trust in God. Her response, "Let it be done to me according to your word," exemplifies surrender and faith. Both readings highlight the theme of trusting God's plan, even when it seems unimaginable.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to reflect on our own trust in God. Like Mary, we are called to embrace God's will with openness and faith, even when faced with challenges. By surrendering to His plan, we, like Mary, become vessels of divine grace, allowing God's love and light to shine through us.