Daily Readings - Tue Dec 12 2023
First Reading - Zechariah 2.10-13 or Revelation 11.19a; 12.1, 3-6a, 10ab
Zechariah
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.12And the LORD will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land, and will again choose Jerusalem."13Be silent, all flesh, before the LORD, for he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.
Revelation
19Then God's temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple. There were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hail.
1And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.3And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven diadems.4His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her child he might devour it.5She gave birth to a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne,6and the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, in which she is to be nourished for 1,260 days.10And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, "Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.
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,
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the presence of God in our lives and the joy that comes from trusting in His plan. In the first reading from Zechariah, we hear a prophetic vision of God dwelling among His people and drawing all nations into a sacred union with Him. This passage, written to a people returning from exile, offers hope and renewal, reminding us that God’s presence is not distant but intimate and transformative. In the Gospel, we witness the beautiful encounter between Mary and Elizabeth, two women who embody faith and joy in the face of God’s mysterious plan. Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, recognizes the blessedness of Mary and the fruit of her womb, while Mary responds with a hymn of praise, magnifying the Lord in her spirit.
These readings are deeply connected, as both point to the reality of God’s presence breaking into human history. Zechariah’s prophecy finds its fulfillment in the Gospel, where Mary, carrying the incarnate God, visits Elizabeth. The leaping of John the Baptist in Elizabeth’s womb and Elizabeth’s Spirit-filled exclamation are signs that the promised Messiah is near. Mary’s Magnificat, a song of praise, reflects her deep trust in God’s plan and her recognition of the profound humility and grace that have been bestowed upon her. Together, these readings remind us that faith is not passive but active—it involves trusting in God’s promises and rejoicing in His presence, even when the circumstances seem uncertain.
As we apply these readings to our daily lives, we are called to cultivate the same kind of faith and joy that Mary and Elizabeth exemplify. Like Mary, we are invited to say “yes” to God’s plan, even when it seems impossible or overwhelming. Like Elizabeth, we are called to recognize the presence of God in those around us and to rejoice in the ways He is working in their lives. In a world often marked by doubt and fear, these readings challenge us to trust in God’s nearness and to live with hearts full of praise and gratitude. Let us, like Mary, magnify the Lord and allow our spirits to leap for joy in the knowledge of His love and salvation.