Daily Readings - Wed May 31 2017
First Reading - Zephaniah 3.14-18
Zephaniah
14Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem.15The LORD hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more.16In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack.17The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.18I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who are of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burden.
Gospel - Luke 1.39-56
Luke
39And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;40And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.41And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:42And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.43And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?44For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.45And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.46And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,47And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.48For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.49For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.50And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.51He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.52He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.53He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.54He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;55As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.56And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful messages of joy, trust, and transformation through God’s presence. The first reading from Zephaniah invites us to rejoice, for God has removed judgment and is in our midst, offering strength and salvation. This prophetic text, written during a time of impending judgment, brings hope by promising restoration and an end to fear. The context suggests a period when Israel faced oppression, and Zephaniah’s words were a beacon of light, assuring them of God’s enduring presence and deliverance.
The Gospel from Luke presents the Visitation, where Mary, upon visiting Elizabeth, experiences a moment of profound recognition and joy. Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, acknowledges Mary as the mother of the Lord, and Mary responds with the Magnificat, a hymn of praise that reflects her deep faith and understanding of God’s mercy and power. This scene, part of the infancy narrative, highlights Mary’s trust and the early signs of Jesus’ significance, setting the stage for the transformative power of God’s plan.
These readings intertwine through themes of trust, joy, and God’s transformative power. Zephaniah’s assurance of God’s presence and Luke’s depiction of Mary’s faith encourage us to trust in God’s providence. In our daily lives, we are invited to find joy in God’s presence, even amidst challenges, and to live with faith, knowing His mercy endures. Let us reflect on how our trust in God can transform our lives, leading us to a deeper joy and a commitment to serving others, just as Mary’s faith led her to magnify the Lord.