Daily Readings - Wed May 31 2017
First Reading - Zephaniah 3.14-18 or Romans 12.9-16
Zephaniah
14Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem!15The LORD has taken away the judgments against you; he has cleared away your enemies. The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst; you shall never again fear evil.16On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: "Fear not, O Zion; let not your hands grow weak.17The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.18I will gather those of you who mourn for the festival, so that you will no longer suffer reproach.
Romans
9Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.10Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.11Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.12Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.13Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.15Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be conceited.
Luke
39In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah,40and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.41And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit,42and she exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!43And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?44For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.45And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord."46And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord,47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,48for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;49for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.50And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.51He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;52he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate;53he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent empty away.54He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy,55as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever."56And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful messages of joy, trust, and transformation through God’s presence. The first reading from Zephaniah invites us to rejoice, for God has removed judgment and is in our midst, offering strength and salvation. This prophetic text, written during a time of impending judgment, brings hope by promising restoration and an end to fear. The context suggests a period when Israel faced oppression, and Zephaniah’s words were a beacon of light, assuring them of God’s enduring presence and deliverance.
The Gospel from Luke presents the Visitation, where Mary, upon visiting Elizabeth, experiences a moment of profound recognition and joy. Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, acknowledges Mary as the mother of the Lord, and Mary responds with the Magnificat, a hymn of praise that reflects her deep faith and understanding of God’s mercy and power. This scene, part of the infancy narrative, highlights Mary’s trust and the early signs of Jesus’ significance, setting the stage for the transformative power of God’s plan.
These readings intertwine through themes of trust, joy, and God’s transformative power. Zephaniah’s assurance of God’s presence and Luke’s depiction of Mary’s faith encourage us to trust in God’s providence. In our daily lives, we are invited to find joy in God’s presence, even amidst challenges, and to live with faith, knowing His mercy endures. Let us reflect on how our trust in God can transform our lives, leading us to a deeper joy and a commitment to serving others, just as Mary’s faith led her to magnify the Lord.