Daily Readings - Tue Dec 12 2017

First Reading - Zechariah 2.10-13

¹⁰Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the LORD.¹¹And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto thee.¹²And the LORD shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy land, and shall choose Jerusalem again.¹³Be silent, O all flesh, before the LORD: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation.

Gospel - Luke 1.39-47

Luke

Chapter 1

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.

Sermon

The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of joy, faith, and the presence of God in our lives. In the first reading from Zechariah, the prophet announces a time of great rejoicing for the people of Zion. He speaks of a day when God will dwell in the midst of His people, and many nations will join themselves to the Lord. This passage is set in a time of hope and restoration for Israel, as they look forward to the fulfillment of God’s promises. The prophet’s words remind us that God’s presence is not limited to a particular place or people; it is universal and transformative. In the Gospel, we find a beautiful moment of encounter between Mary and Elizabeth. Mary, carrying the unborn Jesus, visits her cousin Elizabeth, who is also with child. The moment Elizabeth hears Mary’s greeting, the infant John the Baptist leaps in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, exclaims, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” Mary’s response, the Magnificat, is a hymn of praise that reflects her deep faith and trust in God. This passage highlights the importance of faith and the joy that comes from recognizing God’s work in our lives. These readings remind us that faith is not just an individual act but something that is lived out in community. Just as Mary and Elizabeth supported one another in their moments of grace, we too are called to recognize and celebrate the ways God is at work in the lives of those around us. The prophet Zechariah’s vision of God dwelling in the midst of His people is fulfilled in part through the incarnation of Jesus, who comes to live among us. As we go about our daily lives, may we, like Mary and Elizabeth, embrace the joy of God’s presence and share that joy with others. Let us trust in God’s promises and allow His Spirit to guide us in living out our faith with love and humility.