Jeremiah 23:5-8, Psalm 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19, Matthew 1:18-24

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Jeremiah 23:5-8, Psalm 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19, Matthew 1:18-24

Jeremiah 23:5-8

My Beloved, we thank God our Father for sending You to us to rule, redeem and save us.  A new era has dawned since Your coming into the world.  You are the Way, the Truth and the Life and without You there is only death, destruction and darkness.

You opened a way for all.  Divine justice is available to all.  The poor and the weak have a mighty God to battle on their behalf, hear their cries for justice and grant them victory over their oppressors. 

You bring peace,You unite inviting all who had wandered far from God, to return and find a home and a loving welcome.  You came to save the lost, heal the sick, bind the wounded, comfort the brokenhearted and to establish Your Kingdom and rule from one end of the earth to the other as Sovereign Lord over all.

Maranatha Lord Jesus! Maranatha!

Psalm 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19

My Beloved, justice is something that is often the prerogative of those with power, wealth and influence. The poor, the widow, the orphan, the marginalized and the weak routinely have their rights trampled upon. Their cries are stopped midway, they are too frightened to appeal for what is rightfully theirs. To such as these a new day has dawned for in You all receive the dignity of being children of God and they have You, who are the Son of God, as their Judge who will decide in favor of the Truth.

You came to bring peace.  Justice and peace are the sign of Your rule over the hearts of men so even in the midst of turmoil You reign and establish Your rule among Your people who will not be shaken or overcome for they have placed their hope, trust and love in You.  The poor have a Friend in You, their cries are heard and justice is assured.  Those who place their hope in You have God on their side.  A God who is victorious and works mightily to save all who belong to Him.

Praise the Lord!

Matthew 1:18-24

The greatest event in the whole history of mankind is narrated in short, simple phrases. An event that shook the very foundations of the world unfolded far from where the haughty, rich, the powerful, the influential, the intelligentsia congregate. God does His best work in an environment where simplicity, humility and obedience abound. Among those who are pure and humble of heart, those who do not see with the eyes of the haughty.

In a small town a young Virgin living a quiet, hidden life suddenly finds herself at the centre of the greatest love story ever told. Unknown to her, God had chosen her and fashioned her in secret from the moment of her conception, with extraordinary grace. She was His secret garden in which every grace  and virtue flourished with abandon. She was to be the Mother of His only Son.  She was betrothed to Joseph a good, gentle, humble, holy, chaste, obedient righteous man. Lowly, yet coming from the illustrious line of David who was the greatest king of his time.

Upon discovering this wonderful thing God had done for Mary in accordance with the hope and longing of Israel, Joseph believed that his dearest dream for a life with his beloved Mary, was to be set aside for the sake of God's immense plans and will for her.  But he had no need to be anxious for her sake or to be sad for his own. They would have it all and so much more for God would come to them, make His home with them. They would have the privilege of watching Him grow first in the womb of is Mother the new Ark of the Covenant and when He was born they would both have the extraordinary joy and privilege of caring for Him, teaching Him, hearing the Eternal Word lisp His first baby words. They would look on with pride as God who who had planted His foot on the waters and no one saw His footprints, would take His first, faltering baby steps and totter and fall.

They would teach the Son of God to read, write He who had planted the stars in the firmament and had given each of them a name. His father would teach him his trade of carpentry - working on wood on which He would someday be enthroned and thus liberate the world. They were to name the Baby - Jesus, One who saves.

May our response always be grateful and praise filled thank you  Lord!