The daily Word of God
Wednesday, December 18th, 2024
Advent Weekday (December 18)
Mt 1:18-24 "The virgin will conceive and bear a son, and he will be called Emmanuel which means: God-with-us."
First Reading: Jer 23:5-8
Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD,
when I will raise up a righteous shoot to David;
As king he shall reign and govern wisely,
he shall do what is just and right in the land.
In his days Judah shall be saved,
Israel shall dwell in security.
This is the name they give him:
"The LORD our justice."
Therefore, the days will come, says the LORD,
when they shall no longer say, "As the LORD lives,
who brought the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt";
but rather, "As the LORD lives,
who brought the descendants of the house of Israel
up from the land of the north"–
and from all the lands to which I banished them;
they shall again live on their own land.
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19
R (see 7) Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
O God, with your judgment endow the king,
and with your justice, the king's son;
He shall govern your people with justice
and your afflicted ones with judgment.
R (see 7) Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
For he shall rescue the poor when he cries out,
and the afflicted when he has no one to help him.
He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor;
the lives of the poor he shall save.
R (see 7) Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel,
who alone does wondrous deeds.
And blessed forever be his glorious name;
may the whole earth be filled with his glory.
R (see 7) Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
Gospel Reading: Mt 1:18-24
This is how Jesus Christ was born. Mary his mother had been given to Joseph in marriage but before they lived together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.
Then Joseph, her husband, made plans to divorce her in all secrecy. He was an upright man, and in no way did he want to discredit her.
While he was pondering over this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, descendant of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. She has conceived by the Holy Spirit, and now she will bear a son. You shall call him 'Jesus' for he will save his people from their sins."
All this happened in order to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: The virgin will conceive and bear a son, and he will be called Emmanuel which means: God-with-us. When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had told him to do and he took his wife to his home.
‘God with us’ is the eternal promise
The genealogy of Jesus reminds us that God’s grace often unfolds through unexpected and unconventional circumstances, and it highlights how God works through human weakness to fulfil His divine plan. Today, as the Church faces challenges in a world marked by divisions, injustices, and rapid changes, this message offers hope: God’s mercy transcends societal norms and human limitations.
Mary’s “irregular” situation as a virgin conceiving by the Holy Spirit reflects God’s disruptive intervention in history, reminding us that divine purposes often clash with human expectations. Joseph’s response—a justice rooted in mercy rather than rigid legalism—invites us to consider how we navigate contemporary challenges with compassion. In Hong Kong, where societal tensions and economic uncertainties persist, Joseph’s example calls us to embody Christ’s love by prioritising care for the vulnerable and fostering reconciliation amid discord.
The names of Jesus—Jesus («Yahweh saves») and Immanuel («God with us»)—offer comfort in our turbulent times. Globally, as the Church addresses issues like synodality, environmental stewardship, and the digital transformation of evangelisation, these names affirm God’s enduring presence and His call to active engagement in building His kingdom.
Our rich Catholic heritage reminds us that, like the genealogy of Jesus, our community’s story is a tapestry of diverse individuals united in faith. As we navigate contemporary challenges, let us trust in God’s providence and, like Joseph, choose mercy over judgment.
May Jesus, our Savior and Immanuel, inspire us to be beacons of hope, building bridges of peace and justice in a world yearning for God’s love. «God with us» is our assurance and mission today.
Introduction
When the kings of God’s people had not fulfilled their mission of guiding the people to God, the prophet Jeremiah announces that God would do away with them and become himself the shepherd of his people. But he will make this new beginning through a human, a virtuous shoot of the house of David. Through him, God would become his people’s integrity, the cause of our fidelity.
In the New Testament, as Matthew tells us, Jesus is this Son of David through Joseph and Mary and at the same time God’s own Son. He is indeed “God our integrity,” and Immanuel, “God-with-us,” Jesus, whose name means “Savior.”
Opening Prayer
Lord, faithful God,
in Jesus you have given us someone
taken from our human flesh and blood,
a man, yet your Son,
through whom you want to restore
integrity and fidelity among us.
Help us to give with him,
to you and also to one another,
the proper and adequate response
of faithful, serving love,
which you expect from your people.
Be our God for ever
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Liturgy of the Word
General Intercessions
– Lord Jesus, give us the integrity and the sense of justice that keeps escaping us, we pray:
– Lord, may we learn from you to have pity on the weak and the needy, as you are good to us and merciful, we pray:
– Lord, as you are with us, make us also stand by the side of our brothers and sisters in their spiritual and materials needs, we pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
God, our Father,
only someone untouched by sin
could love you as you deserve
and make us, sinful people, capable
of responding to your love
as your sons and daughters.
Let these offerings be the sign
that we expect your Son with hope
and that we are willing to follow him
on his loyal way of obedience to your will
and commitment to your justice and love.
Accept us in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Prayer after Communion
Lord, saving God,
we give you thanks for accepting us
in your Son Jesus Christ.
In him you make us both
those who are saved
and those who have to save
themselves and their brothers and sisters.
Make us fully aware
that we are your messianic people.
Help us to respond to your initiative of love
with all our cooperation,
that one day all humanity may belong to you
and honor you as the Father of all
through our brother, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Blessing
Do not be afraid, God is with you. We live in his hands, for he has given us Jesus, our Savior and friend. May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
