FIRST READING
2 Samuel 7:4–5a, 12–14a, 16
The LORD spoke to Nathan and said:
“Go, tell my servant David, ‘When your time comes and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your heir after you, sprung from your loins, and I will make his kingdom firm. It is he who shall build a house for my name. And I will make his royal throne firm forever. I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me. Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me; your throne shall stand firm forever.’”
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 89:2–3, 4–5, 27, 29 (37)
R. The son of David will live for ever.
The promises of the LORD I will sing for ever, through all generations my mouth will proclaim your faithfulness, For you have said, “My kindness is established forever”; in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness.
R. The son of David will live for ever.
“I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant: Forever will I confirm your posterity and establish your throne for all generations.”
R. The son of David will live for ever.
“He shall say of me, ‘You are my father, my God, the Rock, my savior.’ Forever I will maintain my kindness toward him, And my covenant with him stands firm.”
R. The son of David will live for ever.
SECOND READING
Romans 4:13, 16–18, 22
Brothers and sisters:
It was not through the law that the promise was made to Abraham and his descendants that he would inherit the world, but through the righteousness that comes from faith. For this reason, it depends on faith, so that it may be a gift, and the promise may be guaranteed to all his descendants, not to those who only adhere to the law but to those who follow the faith of Abraham, who is the father of all of us, as it is written, I have made you father of many nations. He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into being what does not exist. He believed, hoping against hope, that he would become the father of many nations, according to what was said, Thus shall your descendants be. That is why it was credited to him as righteousness.
ALLELUIA
Psalm 84:5
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are those who dwell in your house, O Lord; they never cease to praise you.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GOSPEL
Matthew 1:16, 18–21, 24a
Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ.
Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.
or:
Luke 2:41–51a
Each year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, and when he was twelve years old, they went up according to festival custom. After they had completed its days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Thinking that he was in the caravan, they journeyed for a day and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, but not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.” And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he said to them. He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them.
Reflections:
Do you approach the Lord Jesus with expectant faith
for healing, pardon, and transformation in Christ-like holiness? Isaiah
prophesied that God would establish a new heavens and earth when he came
to restore his people. Jesus’ miracles are signs that manifest the presence
and power of God’s kingdom. When a high ranking official, who was very
likely from King Herod's court, heard the reports of Jesus’ preaching and
miracles, he decided to seek Jesus out for an extraordinary favor. If this
story happened today the media headlines would probably say: "High ranking
official leaves capital in search of miracle cure from a small town carpenter."
It took raw courage for a high ranking court official to travel twenty
miles in search of Jesus, the Galilean carpenter. He had to swallow his
pride and put up with some ridicule from his cronies. And when he found
the healer carpenter, Jesus seemed to put him off with the blunt statement
that people would not believe unless they saw some kind of miracle or sign
from heaven. Jesus likely said this to test the man to see if his faith
was in earnest. If he turned away discouraged or irritated, he would prove
to be insincere. Jesus, perceiving his faith, sent him home with the assurance
that his prayer had been heard. It was probably not easy for this man to
leave Jesus and go back home only with the assuring word that his son would
be healed. Couldn't Jesus have come to this man's home and touched his
dying child? The court official believed in Jesus and took him at his word
without doubt or hesitation. He was ready to return home and face ridicule
and laughter because he trusted in Jesus' word. God's mercy shows his generous
love – a love that bends down in response to our misery and wretchedness.
Is there any area in your life where you need healing, pardon, change,
and restoration? If you seek the Lord with trust and expectant faith, he
will not disappoint you. He will meet you more than half way and give you
what you need. The Lord Jesus never refused anyone who put their trust
in him. Surrender your doubts and fears, your pride and guilt at his feet,
and trust in his saving word and healing love.
"Lord Jesus, your love never fails and your mercy is unceasing. Give
me the courage to surrender my stubborn pride, fear and doubts to your
surpassing love, wisdom and knowledge. Make be strong in faith, persevering
in hope, and constant in love."
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