Daily Readings - Sat Sep 30 2017
Zechariah
1And I lifted my eyes and saw, and behold, a man with a measuring line in his hand!2Then I said, "Where are you going?" And he said to me, "To measure Jerusalem, to see what is its width and what is its length."3And behold, the angel who talked with me came forward, and another angel came forward to meet him4and said to him, "Run, say to that young man, 'Jerusalem shall be inhabited as villages without walls, because of the multitude of people and livestock in it.5And I will be to her a wall of fire all around, declares the LORD, and I will be the glory in her midst.'"10Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion, for behold, I come and I will dwell in your midst, declares the LORD.11And many nations shall join themselves to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people. And I will dwell in your midst, and you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you.
Luke
43And all were astonished at the majesty of God.But while they were all marveling at everything he was doing, Jesus said to his disciples,44"Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men."45But they did not understand this saying, and it was concealed from them, so that they might not perceive it. And they were afraid to ask him about this saying.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound visions of divine presence and purpose. The first reading from Zechariah presents a prophetic vision where Jerusalem is measured, symbolizing God's promise of protection and restoration. Without physical walls, the city is safeguarded by God's fiery presence, and it becomes a place where many nations unite under the Lord. This vision speaks of a future where God's glory is central, and His people dwell securely in His midst.
The Gospel from Luke shifts our focus to Jesus, who demonstrates His power by healing a boy possessed by an unclean spirit. This miracle amazes the crowd, yet Jesus follows it with a foreboding statement about His impending betrayal. The disciples, however, fail to grasp the significance of His words, highlighting the tension between the present marvels and the future sacrifice that lies ahead.
These readings invite us to reflect on trust and faith in God's plan. Just as Zechariah's vision calls for trust in God's protective presence, Luke's narrative urges us to embrace the mystery of Jesus' mission, even when it leads to the cross. In our daily lives, we may face uncertainties and challenges, but these readings remind us to trust in God's providence and to seek His presence as our strength. Let us, like the disciples, strive to understand and embrace the deeper truths of our faith, knowing that God's plan, though sometimes unclear, is always for our good.