Daily Readings - Sat Oct 14 2023
Joel
12Let the nations stir themselves up and come up to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; for there I will sit to judge all the surrounding nations.13Put in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Go in, tread, for the winepress is full. The vats overflow, for their evil is great.14Multitudes, multitudes, in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.15The sun and the moon are darkened, and the stars withdraw their shining.16The LORD roars from Zion, and utters his voice from Jerusalem, and the heavens and the earth quake. But the LORD is a refuge to his people, a stronghold to the people of Israel.17"So you shall know that I am the LORD your God, who dwells in Zion, my holy mountain. And Jerusalem shall be holy, and strangers shall never again pass through it.18"And in that day the mountains shall drip sweet wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the streambeds of Judah shall flow with water; and a fountain shall come forth from the house of the LORD and water the Valley of Shittim.19"Egypt shall become a desolation and Edom a desolate wilderness, for the violence done to the people of Judah, because they have shed innocent blood in their land.20But Judah shall be inhabited forever, and Jerusalem to all generations.21I will avenge their blood, blood I have not avenged, for the LORD dwells in Zion."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful messages about God's judgment, restoration, and the path to true blessedness. The First Reading from Joel paints a vivid picture of the Day of the Lord, a time of reckoning where nations are judged in the valley of Jehoshaphat. Joel's prophecy is both a warning and a promise—while there is desolation for the unrepentant, there is also restoration for Judah, with imagery of abundance and a fountain from the Lord's house bringing life to the desert. This passage reminds us that God's justice is not just punitive but also restorative, offering hope to those who remain faithful.
The Gospel from Luke shifts our focus to the living out of God's word. When a woman praises Jesus' mother, He responds by emphasizing that true blessedness comes not from physical connection but from hearing and keeping God's word. This teaching underscores the importance of obedience and faithfulness in our daily lives. Jesus is not diminishing the value of Mary's role but highlighting that spiritual blessedness surpasses physical ties. This message aligns with Joel's themes of judgment and restoration, as both readings call us to align our lives with God's will.
As we reflect on these readings, we are invited to examine our own lives. Are we living according to God's word, preparing for His judgment, and trusting in His plan? The moral lesson here is clear: true blessedness is found in a life of faith and obedience. Let us strive to keep God's word close to our hearts, knowing that this path leads to restoration and eternal life. In doing so, we embody the hope and justice that Joel prophesied and the spiritual blessedness that Jesus taught.