Daily Readings - Tue Dec 24 2024
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.16Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.'"
Luke
67His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:68"Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people.69He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David70(as he said through his holy prophets of long ago),71salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us--72to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant,73the oath he swore to our father Abraham:74to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear75in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.76And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,77to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins,78because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven79to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace."
Sermon
In today's readings, we reflect on the themes of God's covenant and redemption, woven through the stories of King David and Zechariah's prophecy. The first reading from 2 Samuel recounts God's promise to David, establishing his dynasty and the Davidic covenant. This covenant is not about David building a house for God, but God building a lasting legacy through David's descendants. The second reading from Luke presents Zechariah's song, celebrating the fulfillment of God's promises through the house of David, with John the Baptist preparing the way for the Messiah.
Both readings highlight God's faithfulness and the importance of preparation. In 2 Samuel, David's humility and trust in God's plan are evident as he accepts that his role is not to build a temple but to trust in God's timing. In Luke, Zechariah's prophecy underscores John's role in preparing the way for Jesus, illustrating the need for each of us to clear the path for others to encounter God.
These readings invite us to trust in God's promises and timing in our lives. Just as David trusted God's plan, we too can have faith that God is working in our lives, even when our plans differ from His. Similarly, like John the Baptist, we are called to prepare the way for others, whether through acts of kindness, sharing our faith, or simply being present for those in need.
As we reflect on these readings, let us embrace the call to be faithful and open to God's plan. May we trust in His promises and actively prepare the way for others to experience His love and redemption.