Daily Readings - Tue Oct 03 2017
First Reading - Zechariah 8.20-23
Zechariah
20Thus saith the LORD of hosts; It shall yet come to pass, that there shall come people, and the inhabitants of many cities:21And the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, Let us go speedily to pray before the LORD, and to seek the LORD of hosts: I will go also.22Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the LORD.23Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.
Gospel - Luke 9.51-56
Luke
51And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,52And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.53And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.54And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?55But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.56For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful messages of unity, divine presence, and the call to embody God's love. The first reading from Zechariah paints a vivid picture of a future where people from all nations gather in Jerusalem, united by their desire to seek the Lord. This vision emphasizes God's universal presence and the ultimate unity He desires among all peoples. The Gospel from Luke presents a contrasting scene where Jesus faces rejection by the Samaritans, yet He responds not with anger but with a lesson on the true nature of His mission: to save, not to destroy.
The context of Zechariah's prophecy is one of hope and restoration, pointing to a time when God's people will live in peace and harmony. Luke's narrative, however, is set during Jesus' journey to Jerusalem, highlighting His unwavering commitment to His mission despite rejection. Both readings remind us that God's plan is universal, embracing all people, and that our response to adversity should reflect His love and mercy.
In our daily lives, these readings challenge us to embrace diversity and to seek unity amidst differences. Just as Jesus chose love over retaliation, we too can respond to rejection and challenges with compassion and understanding. Let us strive to be instruments of God's love, bringing people together rather than driving them apart. May we reflect God's heart by choosing love and unity, just as Jesus did on His journey to Jerusalem.