Daily Readings - Tue Sep 30 2025
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
The readings today invite us to reflect on the universal call to seek God and the importance of living as witnesses of His love. In the first reading from Zechariah, we hear a vision of a future where people from all nations and languages will come together to seek the Lord in Jerusalem. This prophecy speaks of a time when God’s presence will unite people across cultures and divisions, reminding us that His plan is one of unity and harmony. The image of ten men clinging to the hem of a Judean man underscores the desire for connection and the recognition that God is with His people.
In the Gospel, Luke presents a moment of tension as Jesus and His disciples encounter rejection in a Samaritan village. The disciples, feeling slighted, want to retaliate with fire from heaven, but Jesus rebukes them, reminding them that He came not to destroy but to save. This passage highlights the contrast between a spirit of vengeance and the mission of mercy that defines Jesus’ work. It also challenges us to examine our own reactions to rejection and whether they align with the spirit of love and forgiveness that Christ embodies.
These readings remind us that our faith is not just a personal relationship with God but also a call to live in a way that reflects His universal love. Like the people in Zechariah’s vision, we are called to seek God together, even in the face of differences. And like Jesus, we are invited to respond to rejection and hostility not with anger but with compassion and a commitment to saving lives. As we go about our daily lives, may we strive to be instruments of unity and reconciliation, living as witnesses to the God who is with us and who calls us to seek Him together.