Daily Readings - Sat Sep 30 2023
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 powerful messages of hope and trust in God's plan. The first reading from Zechariah presents a vision of Jerusalem without walls, symbolizing God's protective presence and abundance. This prophecy, spoken during the rebuilding of Jerusalem after the exile, reassures the people of God's enduring presence and promises a future where His glory will dwell among them. The second reading from Luke captures a pivotal moment where Jesus heals a boy and then foretells his betrayal. Despite the disciples' confusion and fear, Jesus emphasizes the importance of understanding His mission, highlighting the necessity of self-giving love.
These readings intertwine through their themes of divine presence and trust. Zechariah's vision encourages trust in God's providence, while Luke's narrative invites us to embrace the mystery of faith. Just as the disciples faced uncertainty, we too are called to trust in God's plan, even when it seems unclear. The readings remind us that God's presence is our strength, guiding us through life's challenges.
Applying this to our daily lives, we are urged to trust God in uncertain times, just as the disciples had to trust Jesus. The moral lesson here is one of faith and surrender. In moments of doubt, we should recall God's promise to be our refuge and strength. Let us embrace this trust, allowing God's presence to guide us, and may we find the courage to follow His will, even when the path is unclear.