Daily Readings - Sat Sep 25 2021
Zechariah
1And I lifted up my eyes, and I saw, and behold, a man, and in his hand was a measuring line2And I said, "Where are you going?" And he said to me, "To measure Jerusalem, so that I may see how great its width and how great its length may be.3And behold, the angel, who had been speaking with me, departed, and another angel went out to meet him4And he said to him: Hurry, speak to this young man, saying: Jerusalem will be inhabited without walls, because of the multitude of men and beasts of burden in its midst5And I will be to it, says the Lord, a wall of fire all around. And in glory, I will be in its midst10Sing praise and rejoice, daughter of Zion. For behold, I approach, and I will dwell in your midst, says the Lord11And many nations will be joined to the Lord in that day, and they will be my people, and I will dwell in your midst. And you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you
Luke
43And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and he healed the boy, and he restored him to his father44And all were astonished at the greatness of God. And as everyone was wondering over all that he was doing, he said to his disciples: "You must set these words in your hearts. For it shall be that the Son of man will be delivered into the hands of men.45But they did not understand this word, and it was concealed from them, so that they did not perceive it. And they were afraid to question him about this word
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound visions of God's presence and protection. The First Reading from Zechariah presents a vision where an angel measures Jerusalem, signifying its expansion and God's promise to be a wall of fire around it. This vision, from a post-exilic context, offers hope to a restored Jerusalem, emphasizing God's enduring presence and protection. The Gospel from Luke shifts focus to Jesus, who heals a boy and foretells His betrayal. This passage, part of Jesus's journey to Jerusalem, highlights the disciples' struggle to comprehend His mission, illustrating the mystery of faith.
Both readings intertwine themes of divine presence and protection. Zechariah's vision portrays God as a protective fire, while Luke's narrative shows Jesus embodying this presence, even in His Passion. This connection underscores God's unwavering love and the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus, blending hope with the reality of His mission.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to trust in God's presence, even amidst uncertainty. Like the disciples, we may face mysteries beyond our understanding, but faith calls us to embrace these moments with courage. The moral lesson here is the importance of trusting God's plan, recognizing His presence as our strength. Let us find comfort in God's protective love, whether in times of joy or trial, and may this trust guide us in living out our faith with resilience and hope.