The readings make space for a truthful return, without panic or performance. Stay with what Jesus says or does here, and let it ask for one honest response.
Today’s readings
First Reading
2 Samuel 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16
That same night, the LORD's word came to Nathan, saying, "Go and tell my servant David, 'The LORD says, "Should you build me a house for me to dwell in? When your days are fulfilled and you sleep with your fathers, I will set up your offspring after you, who will proceed out of your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He will build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his father, and he will be my son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men and with the stripes of the children of men; Your house and your kingdom will be made sure forever before you. Your throne will be established forever." ' "
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 89:2-3, 4-5, 27 and 29
I indeed declare, "Love stands firm forever. You established the heavens. Your faithfulness is in them." "I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David, my servant, 'I will establish your offspring forever, and build up your throne to all generations.' " Selah. The heavens will praise your wonders, LORD, your faithfulness also in the assembly of the holy ones. I will also appoint him my firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth. I will also make his offspring endure forever, and his throne as the days of heaven.
Second Reading
Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22
For the promise to Abraham and to his offspring that he would be heir of the world wasn't through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. For this cause it is of faith, that it may be according to grace, to the end that the promise may be sure to all the offspring, not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all. As it is written, "I have made you a father of many nations." This is in the presence of him whom he believed: God, who gives life to the dead, and calls the things that are not, as though they were. Against hope, Abraham in hope believed, to the end that he might become a father of many nations, according to that which had been spoken, "So will your offspring be." Therefore it also was "credited to him for righteousness."
Gospel
Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24a
Jacob became the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, from whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. Now the birth of Jesus Christ was like this: After his mother, Mary, was engaged to Joseph, before they came together, she was found pregnant by the Holy Spirit. Joseph, her husband, being a righteous man, and not willing to make her a public example, intended to put her away secretly. But when he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, don't be afraid to take to yourself Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. She shall give birth to a son. You shall name him Jesus, for it is he who shall save his people from their sins." Joseph arose from his sleep, and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took his wife to himself;
A question for your journal
What burden could you name before God without trying to fix it first?
Scripture text: World English Bible Catholic Edition, public domain. Reading citations are prepared for Come Aside from MIT-licensed citation metadata.
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