Daily Readings - Mon Sep 08 2025
First Reading - Romans 8.28-30 or Micah 5.2-5a
Romans
28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.29For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.30And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
Micah
2"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. "3Therefore Israel will be abandoned until the time when she who is in labor gives birth and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites.4He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth.5And he will be their peace. When the Assyrian invades our land and marches through our fortresses, we will raise against him seven shepherds, even eight leaders of men.
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."
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the profound mystery of God’s providence and the call to trust in His plan. In the first reading from Romans, St. Paul reminds us that for those who love God, all things work together for good. This is not a simplistic promise that life will always be easy or that suffering will never come, but rather a deep assurance that even in the midst of challenges, God is at work, shaping us into the image of His Son. The Apostle emphasizes the connection between being called, justified, and glorified—each step a part of God’s unfolding plan for our salvation.
In the Gospel, we encounter the quiet faith of St. Joseph, a man faced with a situation that could have led to fear, confusion, or even anger. Instead, Joseph chooses to trust in God’s plan, even when it seems unexpected and unconventional. The Angel reassures him, “Do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home,” and Joseph obeys, becoming a key figure in the story of salvation. This passage reminds us that God often works in ways we do not fully understand, but our task is to listen, trust, and respond with obedience.
Both readings call us to embrace a spirit of trust and surrender in our daily lives. Like Joseph, we may face moments of uncertainty or difficulty, but we are invited to see these as opportunities to deepen our faith. St. Paul’s words encourage us to view life’s challenges through the lens of God’s providence, knowing that He is always working for our good. Let us strive to imitate Joseph’s quiet courage and trust, allowing God to guide us even when the path ahead seems unclear. In doing so, we open ourselves to the transformative power of His grace, and we become instruments of His plan in the world.