Sermon for the Wednesday of Populus Zion, 2024

“How can this be,” Mary asks. And the angel explains to her: the Holy Spirit will do this, “For with God, nothing shall be impossible.” You know, the greater miracle here is not that she, being a virgin, would conceive and bear a child, although that—alone—is a great wonder; no, the greater miracle is that the child who is to be born by her will be called the Son of God. How can this be: that He whom the heavens cannot contain now resides within the tiny space of Mary’s womb? How can this be? With God, nothing is impossible. The virgin birth of our Lord demonstrates this without question; it proves that, with God, nothing shall be impossible. That’s good to know. Because there’s another thing that’s hard to believe: how can it be that we, poor, miserable sinners, in whom, by nature, no good thing dwells, are reckoned by the LORD as holy, spotless, and without blemish. How can this be? With God, nothing shall be impossible. Christ Jesus, the Son of God and the Son of Mary, earns for us, salvation and gives to us unworthy ones His worthiness. Through Word and Sacraments, we become recipients of the salvation He purchased and won for us. Through these Means, He makes what is impossible for us possible. For with God, nothing shall be impossible. 

Readings:

• Old Testament: Genesis 3:1-15

• Epistle: Romans 2:1-16

• Holy Gospel: Luke 1:26-38

  
  

Sermon: