Daily Readings - Sat Sep 27 2025
Zechariah
1And I lifted my eyes and saw, and behold, a man with a measuring line in his hand!2Then I said, "Where are you going?" And he said to me, "To measure Jerusalem, to see what is its width and what is its length."3And behold, the angel who talked with me came forward, and another angel came forward to meet him4and said to him, "Run, say to that young man, 'Jerusalem shall be inhabited as villages without walls, because of the multitude of people and livestock in it.5And I will be to her a wall of fire all around, declares the LORD, and I will be the glory in her midst.'"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.
Luke
43And all were astonished at the majesty of God.But while they were all marveling at everything he was doing, Jesus said to his disciples,44"Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men."45But they did not understand this saying, and it was concealed from them, so that they might not perceive it. And they were afraid to ask him about this saying.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful visions of God’s presence and the call to trust in His plan. The First Reading from Zechariah paints a vivid picture of a Jerusalem without walls, where God Himself is the protective fire around His people. This vision, given to a post-exilic community struggling to rebuild, reminds us that true security comes not from human constructs but from the divine. Zechariah’s prophecy also speaks of a future where many nations will join God’s people, highlighting the universal scope of His salvation.
The Gospel from Luke shifts our focus to Jesus, who heals a boy and then speaks mysteriously to His disciples about His upcoming betrayal. While the disciples are amazed by His miracles, they fail to grasp the deeper truth of His mission—one that includes suffering and surrender. This tension between wonder and misunderstanding invites us to reflect on our own faith. Do we focus only on the miracles, the easy parts of following Christ, or do we embrace the fullness of His message, even when it challenges us?
Today’s readings call us to trust in God’s plan, even when it’s difficult to understand. Like Zechariah’s vision, our lives are part of a larger story where God’s presence transforms and expands His kingdom. Like the disciples, we are invited to move beyond mere amazement to a deeper commitment. May we, in our daily lives, seek to embody this trust and openness, allowing God’s fire of love to burn brightly within us, and may we welcome all people into His embrace.