Daily Readings - Fri May 31 2019
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
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of joy, hope, and the transformative power of God’s presence in our lives. In the first reading from Zephaniah, the prophet calls the people to rejoice because God has removed their enemies and now dwells in their midst. This passage is a call to trust in God’s deliverance and to let go of fear, knowing that God’s love and strength are always with us. The prophet’s words are a reminder that even in times of uncertainty, God’s presence brings joy and salvation.
In the Gospel, we hear the beautiful story of the Visitation, where Mary, carrying Jesus in her womb, visits her cousin Elizabeth. Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, recognizes the greatness of the moment and praises Mary for her faith. Mary’s response, known as the Magnificat, is a hymn of praise to God, acknowledging his mercy, his preference for the humble, and his faithfulness to his people. This passage highlights the importance of faith, humility, and openness to God’s plan. Just as Mary and Elizabeth experienced the joy of God’s presence, we too can encounter his love and mercy in our lives.
These readings remind us that God’s presence in our lives is a source of joy and strength. Like Mary, we are called to trust in God’s plan and to humbly accept his will. In our daily lives, we can reflect on how we might open ourselves to the Holy Spirit, allowing God to work through us. Let us strive to live with the same faith and humility as Mary, knowing that God’s mercy and love are always available to us. May we, like Elizabeth, recognize the blessings in our lives and give praise to God for his faithfulness.