Daily Readings - Thu Dec 12 2024
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 joy and hope that come from God’s presence in our lives. In the first reading from Zechariah, we hear a prophetic vision of God dwelling among His people, bringing peace and unity. The prophet announces that many nations will be joined to the Lord, and Jerusalem will be a place of sanctity and silence before the majesty of God. This passage reminds us that God’s plan is not limited to one people or place but extends to all humanity, inviting us to live in awe of His divine presence.
In the Gospel, we witness the beautiful encounter between Mary and Elizabeth, known as the Visitation. Mary, carrying Jesus in her womb, travels to visit her cousin Elizabeth, who is also expecting a child. The moment Mary greets Elizabeth, the infant John the Baptist leaps for joy in Elizabeth’s womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, praises Mary for her faith. Mary’s response, the Magnificat, is a hymn of praise to God, acknowledging His greatness and the transformative power of His mercy. This scene reveals the profound trust and joy that come from surrendering to God’s will.
These readings are deeply connected. Zechariah’s prophecy of God dwelling among His people is fulfilled in the Gospel, where Mary, the bearer of God, brings His presence to Elizabeth. Both readings emphasize the importance of trust and openness to God’s plan. In our daily lives, we are called to imitate Mary’s faith and Elizabeth’s hospitality. Like them, we should seek to bring God’s presence to others and rejoice in the ways He works in our lives, even when His plans seem unexpected or challenging. Let us remember that God’s dwelling among us is not just a future hope but a present reality, inviting us to live with gratitude, joy, and trust in His providence.