Daily Readings - Tue Oct 03 2023
Zechariah
20Thus says the Lord of hosts, then the people may arrive and dwell in many cities21and the inhabitants may hurry, one saying to another: "Let us go and entreat the face of the Lord, and let us seek the Lord of hosts. I will go also.22And many peoples and strong nations will approach, seeking the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem, and to entreat the face of the Lord23Thus says the Lord of hosts: In those days, then, ten men from every language of the Gentiles will grasp and cling to the hem of one man of Judea, saying: "We will go with you. For we have heard that God is with you.
Luke
51Now it happened that, while the days of his dissipation were being completed, he steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem52And he sent messengers before his face. And going on, they entered into a city of the Samaritans, to prepare for him53And they would not receive him, because his face was going toward Jerusalem54And when his disciples, James and John, had seen this, they said, "Lord, do you want us to call for fire to descend from heaven and consume them?55And turning, he rebuked them, saying: "Do you not know of whose spirit you are56The Son of man came, not to destroy lives, but to save them." And they went into another town
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound visions of unity and compassion. The first reading from Zechariah paints a future where people from all nations gather in Jerusalem, united by their quest for God. This vision, born from a time of restoration, speaks of a world where diversity is celebrated, and God's presence is sought collectively. The Gospel from Luke presents Jesus facing rejection by the Samaritans, yet he chooses compassion over retaliation, teaching his disciples the true essence of his mission: salvation, not destruction.
These readings connect through their emphasis on God's universal love. Zechariah's vision of a unified world mirrors Jesus's mission to embrace all people, regardless of background. Both passages highlight the importance of seeking God together and responding to adversity with love. Jesus's rebuke of his disciples reminds us that our response to rejection should be rooted in compassion, not vengeance.
In our daily lives, these teachings call us to embrace diversity and respond to challenges with grace. Just as Zechariah envisioned a harmonious gathering of nations, we are invited to foster unity in our communities. When faced with rejection or adversity, we should, like Jesus, choose love and compassion. Let us reflect on how we can embody this spirit of unity and forgiveness, striving to be instruments of God's universal embrace.