A Layman's Take on Today's Readings:Lectionary 636

Key

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Comments

1.      God can use all for good, even things that seem (to us) to be very unlikely instruments. See Genesis 50:20; Proverbs 16:17.

2.   We can set the stage for that happening in our lives by being completely yielded to God’s purposes/direction and relying on His power to empower us to accomplish what He calls us to. See Proverbs 3:5-12; Luke 5:1-11; Luke 19:29-40; Acts 10.

3.    These principles were exemplified by Mary’s response to God’s request that she become Jesus’ Mother. She was a very unlikely  choice (by earthly standards) for that majestic role, but she yielded to God’s will, relied on Him to empower/provide for her, and tremendous good resulted. See Luke 1:46-55.

Micah 5:1-4

The LORD says: You, Bethlehem-Ephrathah, too small to be among the clans of Judah, From you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel; Whose origin is from of old, from ancient times. (Therefore the Lord will give them up, until the time when she who is to give birth has borne, And the rest of his brethren shall return to the children of Israel.) He shall stand firm and shepherd his flock by the strength of the LORD, in the majestic name of the LORD, his God; And they shall remain, for now his greatness shall reach to the ends of the earth; he shall be peace.

Or

Romans 8:28-30

Brothers and sisters: We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.  For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined he also called; and those he called he also justified; and those he justified he also glorified.

Psalm 13:6

Though I trusted in your mercy, let my heart rejoice in your salvation. Let me sing of the LORD, “He has been good to me.”

Matthew 1:1-6, 18-23

The Book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

Abraham became the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers. Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar.

Perez became the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab. Amminadab became the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab. Boaz became the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth. Obed became the father of Jesse, Jesse the father of David the king.