Daily Readings - Fri May 31 2019
First Reading - Zephaniah 3.14-18 or Romans 12.9-16
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.
Romans
9Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.10Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;11Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;12Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;13Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.14Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.15Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.16Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
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
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of joy, hope, and the transformative power of God’s presence in our lives. In the first reading from Zephaniah, the prophet calls the people to rejoice because God has removed their enemies and now dwells in their midst. This passage is a call to trust in God’s deliverance and to let go of fear, knowing that God’s love and strength are always with us. The prophet’s words are a reminder that even in times of uncertainty, God’s presence brings joy and salvation.
In the Gospel, we hear the beautiful story of the Visitation, where Mary, carrying Jesus in her womb, visits her cousin Elizabeth. Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, recognizes the greatness of the moment and praises Mary for her faith. Mary’s response, known as the Magnificat, is a hymn of praise to God, acknowledging his mercy, his preference for the humble, and his faithfulness to his people. This passage highlights the importance of faith, humility, and openness to God’s plan. Just as Mary and Elizabeth experienced the joy of God’s presence, we too can encounter his love and mercy in our lives.
These readings remind us that God’s presence in our lives is a source of joy and strength. Like Mary, we are called to trust in God’s plan and to humbly accept his will. In our daily lives, we can reflect on how we might open ourselves to the Holy Spirit, allowing God to work through us. Let us strive to live with the same faith and humility as Mary, knowing that God’s mercy and love are always available to us. May we, like Elizabeth, recognize the blessings in our lives and give praise to God for his faithfulness.