First Reading (2Sm 7,4-5a.12-14a.16)
Reading of the Second Book of Samuel.
In those days, the Word of the Lord was addressed to Nathan in these terms: “Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord says: When the end of your days comes and you rest with your fathers, then I will raise up a son after you. yours, and I will establish his kingship. It will be he who will build a house for my name, and I will establish his royal throne forever. I will be a father to him and he will be a son to me. Your house and your kingdom will be stable forever before me, and your throne will be firm forever'”.
– Word of the Lord.
– Thank God.
Second Reading (Rm 4,13.16-18.22)
Reading of Saint Paul’s Letter to the Romans.
Brothers, It was not because of the Law, but because of the righteousness that comes from faith, that God promised the world as an inheritance to Abraham or to his descendants. It is by virtue of faith that someone becomes an heir. Therefore, the condition of heir is a grace, a free gift, and God’s promise continues to be valid for all of Abraham’s descendants, both for the descendants who adhere to the Law and for those who rely solely on Abraham’s faith, who is the father of us all. For it is written: “I have made you a father of many peoples.” He is a father before God, because he believed in God who gives life to the dead and brings into existence what did not exist before. Against all human hope, he stood firm in hope and faith. Thus he became the father of many peoples, as he was told: “So shall your posterity be.” This attitude of faith was credited to him as justice.
– Word of the Lord.
– Thank God.
Gospel (Mt 1,16.18-21.24a)
— PROCLAMATION of the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew.
— Glory to you, Lord.
Jacob begot Joseph, the husband of Mary, from whom Jesus was born, who is called the Christ. The origin of Jesus Christ was like this: Mary, his mother, was promised in marriage to Joseph, and, before they lived together, she became pregnant by the action of the Holy Spirit. Joseph, her husband, was fair and, not wanting to denounce her, decided to abandon Mary, in secret. While Joseph was thinking about this, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said to him: “Joseph, Son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because she conceived by the Holy Spirit. She will give give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” When he woke up, Joseph did as the angel of the Lord had commanded.
— Word of Salvation.
— Glory to you, Lord!
Reflecting the Word of God
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Today, I would like to share with you a message of hope and purpose, a message that connects us to our daily experiences and leads us to a deep encounter with the Word of God. It is a message that leads us to reflect on divine grace, unconditional love and the promise of a future full of purpose and meaning.
Imagine the scene: you are at home, surrounded by everyday responsibilities. Perhaps you are struggling with your own doubts, fears and uncertainties. Maybe you are facing challenges in your work, your relationships, or your health. In the midst of it all, it’s easy to feel lost, directionless, and hopeless.
But today, the Scriptures tell us of a God who is present in the midst of our struggles and uncertainties, a God who has a plan and a purpose for each of us. In today’s first reading, from the Second Book of Samuel, we see King David being reminded of God’s promise to establish an eternal kingdom through his lineage. This promise reminds us that God is always working behind the scenes, even when we can’t fully see or understand.
Just like David, each of us has a fundamental role in God’s story. We are called to believe in the divine promise, even when everything seems impossible. In the second reading, Saint Paul reminds us that Abraham’s faith made him righteous before God. Abraham believed in divine promises, even when circumstances seemed contrary. He placed his trust in God, and this faith was credited to him as righteousness.
Dear brothers and sisters, the faith of Abraham challenges us to believe in God’s promises, even when we are tempted to doubt. When we face difficulties, it is easy to lose hope. But the story of Abraham reminds us that God is faithful to his promises, even when everything seems impossible in our eyes.
And it is in this faith that we arrive at today’s Gospel, which takes us to the heart of the message of salvation. Through the story of Joseph, Mary’s husband, we are invited to contemplate the transformative power of love and trust in divine guidance. Joseph, a righteous man, faced the dilemma of discovering that Mary was pregnant before they had lived together as husband and wife.
But it was during this time of confusion and uncertainty that Joseph heard the voice of God in a dream, which revealed to him the divine purpose behind Mary’s pregnancy. He was called to assume the role of adoptive father of Jesus, the incarnate Son of God. Joseph could have recoiled from this responsibility, but his faith and obedience led him to accept God’s will.
Like Joseph, we are called to listen to God’s voice in the midst of our own perplexities and uncertainties. God often calls us to take on roles and responsibilities that are beyond our understanding. He invites us to trust his wisdom and guidance, even when we can’t see the whole picture.
Dear brothers and sisters, today we are invited to reflect on the role that each of us plays in the history of salvation. We are called to believe God’s promises, to trust his guidance, and to respond with faith and obedience. Even when we are faced with challenges and uncertainties, we can be sure that God is with us, guiding and strengthening us.
Just like David, Abraham, and Joseph, each of us has an important role to play in God’s story. Each of us is called to be a witness to divine love in a world that often seems desperate and disoriented. It is through our daily actions, our words, and the relationships we build that we can share God’s love with others.
Sometimes it can seem like our efforts are insignificant compared to the challenges of the world. But remember that God does not ask us to perform great heroic deeds. He asks us to be faithful in little things, to love our neighbors as ourselves, to forgive those who harm us, to reach out to those in need.
Every loving action, every word of encouragement, every gesture of kindness has the power to transform lives. When we allow ourselves to be instruments of divine love, we open the way for grace and hope to flourish. And that’s what the world needs so much today.
Dear brothers and sisters, may this message from the Word of God touch our hearts and inspire us to live in accordance with the divine will. May we be people of faith, who trust in God’s promises even when everything seems impossible. May we be people of love, who share God’s love with everyone we meet on our path. And may we be people of hope, who believe that, despite the tribulations and challenges, God is with us and will lead us to a future full of purpose and meaning.
May the Holy Spirit strengthen and guide us in our calling as disciples of Christ. May he help us discern God’s will in our lives and give us the courage and confidence to follow it. And that, together, we can be living witnesses of divine love and grace in this needy world.
Pray, my brothers and sisters, for divine guidance in your lives. Seek the Word of God with humility and openness of heart. And, above all, put into practice what you learn, living in accordance with the teachings of Jesus Christ. May the grace of God be with you, strengthen you and guide you in every moment of your lives.
So be it. Amen.
