Daily Readings - Sat Oct 14 2017

First Reading - Joel 3.12-21

¹²Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about.¹³Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is great.¹⁴Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.¹⁵The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining.¹⁶The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.¹⁷So shall ye know that I am the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more.¹⁸And it shall come to pass in that day, that the mountains shall drop down new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the rivers of Judah shall flow with waters, and a fountain shall come forth of the house of the LORD, and shall water the valley of Shittim.¹⁹Egypt shall be a desolation, and Edom shall be a desolate wilderness, for the violence against the children of Judah, because they have shed innocent blood in their land.²⁰But Judah shall dwell for ever, and Jerusalem from generation to generation.²¹For I will cleanse their blood that I have not cleansed: for the LORD dwelleth in Zion.

Gospel - Luke 11.27-28

Luke

Chapter 11

²⁷And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked.²⁸But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

Sermon

In today’s readings, we encounter powerful messages about God’s judgment, restoration, and the true nature of blessedness. The first reading from Joel paints a vivid picture of the Day of the Lord, a time of reckoning for the nations. Joel describes a valley of judgment where God will sit in judgment, separating the wicked from the righteous. Yet, amidst this imagery of judgment, there is also a promise of restoration. Joel envisions a future where Jerusalem is holy, and the land flows with abundance, symbolizing God’s ultimate plan to renew and restore creation. This passage reminds us that God’s justice is not merely punitive but is tied to His desire to bring life and flourishing to His people. The Gospel reading from Luke shifts our focus to the nature of true blessedness. A woman from the crowd praises Jesus’ mother, but Jesus redirects her attention. He says, “Blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it.” This exchange highlights that true blessedness is not found in physical relationships or earthly ties but in a deep, spiritual connection to God. Jesus is not dismissing the importance of family, but He is emphasizing that our ultimate fulfillment comes from living in accordance with God’s will. This teaching challenges us to examine our priorities and ensure that our lives are rooted in faith and obedience to God’s word. These readings invite us to reflect on how we live out our faith in daily life. Joel’s vision of judgment and restoration calls us to consider how we align our lives with God’s justice and mercy. Are we living in a way that reflects His love and care for all people? The Gospel reminds us that true happiness and fulfillment come from a life of faith and obedience. As we go about our day, let us ask ourselves: Am I hearing and keeping God’s word? Am I trusting in His plan, even when the path is uncertain? May we find our hope and strength in the Lord, knowing that He is our refuge and our guide, both now and forever.