Daily Readings - Tue Oct 01 2019
Zechariah
20"Thus says the LORD of hosts: Peoples shall yet come, even the inhabitants of many cities.21The inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, 'Let us go at once to entreat the favor of the LORD and to seek the LORD of hosts; I myself am going.'22Many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem and to entreat the favor of the LORD.23Thus says the LORD of hosts: In those days ten men from the nations of every tongue shall take hold of the robe of a Jew, saying, 'Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.'"
Luke
51When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem.52And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him.53But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem.54And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, "Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?"55But he turned and rebuked them.56And they went on to another village.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful visions of unity and compassion. The first reading from Zechariah paints a future where people from every nation and language will come together, united in their desire to seek the Lord. This prophecy speaks of a time when divisions will fade, and humanity will recognize that God is with us. The Gospel, however, presents a different scene. Jesus, on his way to Jerusalem, is rejected by the Samaritans, and his disciples, filled with indignation, want to call down fire to destroy them. But Jesus rebukes them, reminding them that he came not to destroy but to save.
These readings invite us to reflect on the tension between unity and division, between love and retaliation. Zechariah’s vision reminds us that God’s ultimate plan is one of universal reconciliation, where people from all walks of life will come together in peace. Yet, in the Gospel, we see how far we are from that vision when we allow anger and division to guide our actions. Jesus’ response to his disciples is a stark reminder that our calling is not to condemn but to save, not to destroy but to love.
As we apply these readings to our daily lives, let us ask ourselves: Where do we see division and rejection in our world? In our communities? In our own hearts? Jesus shows us that the path to unity and reconciliation is not through retaliation or anger but through patience, compassion, and love. Let us strive to embody this spirit in our interactions with others, even when we face rejection or misunderstanding. By doing so, we become instruments of God’s peace, drawing people closer to him, just as Zechariah prophesied.