Daily Readings - Fri May 31 2024
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, trust, and the transformative power of God’s presence in our lives. In the first reading from Zephaniah, we hear a prophetic call to rejoice because God has removed judgment and fear, and now dwells in the midst of His people. This passage, written in a time of great turmoil, offers a message of hope and consolation, reminding us that God’s love and strength are always with us, even in the darkest moments. The prophet urges us not to be afraid, for God rejoices over us with gladness and will bring us peace.
In the Gospel, we find a beautiful expression of joy and faith in the encounter between Mary and Elizabeth. Mary, upon learning of her cousin’s pregnancy, hastens to her side, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, greets Mary as the mother of the Lord. Mary’s response, known as the Magnificat, is a hymn of praise that reflects her deep trust in God’s plan and her recognition of His mercy and justice. She acknowledges the greatness of God and the humility of her own state, yet she is filled with joy because she knows that God has done something extraordinary through her.
These readings are deeply connected. Both Zephaniah and Luke invite us to trust in God’s plan and to find joy in His presence. Zephaniah reminds us that God’s love is not distant but is actively at work in our lives, while Luke shows us how Mary’s faith and openness to God’s will lead to a moment of profound grace and transformation. In our own lives, we are called to embrace this same spirit of trust and joy. When we face challenges or uncertainties, we can turn to God, knowing that He is always with us, strengthening us and guiding us. Like Mary, we can say, “My soul magnifies the Lord,” even in the midst of trials, because we trust that His mercy and love will see us through.
Let us reflect on how we can cultivate this kind of faith and joy in our daily lives. Are we open to God’s plan, even when it seems unexpected or difficult? Do we trust that He is always working for our good? Let us ask for the grace to see God’s presence in our midst, to rejoice in His love, and to trust in His providence, just as Mary and the people of Zephaniah’s time did. May our hearts be filled with the same joy and trust, and may we, like Mary, be bearers of God’s love and hope to those around us.