Daily Readings - Sat Sep 28 2019
Zechariah
1I lifted up mine eyes again, and looked, and behold a man with a measuring line in his hand.2Then said I, Whither goest thou? And he said unto me, To measure Jerusalem, to see what is the breadth thereof, and what is the length thereof.3And, behold, the angel that talked with me went forth, and another angel went out to meet him,4And said unto him, Run, speak to this young man, saying, Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls for the multitude of men and cattle therein:5For I, saith the LORD, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her.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.
Luke
43And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. But while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did, he said unto his disciples,44Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men.45But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound messages that invite us to reflect on trust and hope in God's plan. The first reading from Zechariah presents a vision of Jerusalem without walls, symbolizing a future where God's presence and protection encompass a multitude of people and nations. This vision, set in a post-exilic context, offers hope to a community rebuilding their lives, emphasizing God's promise to dwell among them as a wall of fire, signifying both protection and divine presence.
The Gospel from Luke shifts our focus to Jesus, who, after healing a boy, foretells His Passion. The disciples, however, fail to grasp this prediction, highlighting their struggle with the unknown. This scene, occurring in the context of Jesus' ministry, underscores the disciples' fear and lack of understanding, serving as a moment of tension and anticipation.
Both readings connect through the theme of trust amidst uncertainty. Zechariah's vision calls us to hope in God's expansive plan, while Luke's narrative reminds us that even in the face of suffering, God's presence remains steadfast. In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to trust in God's plan, even when it's unclear. They remind us to face challenges with faith, knowing that God's presence is our constant companion.
The moral lesson here is clear: trust in God's plan and find hope in His presence. Just as Jerusalem was promised protection and expansion, we too are assured of God's guidance and care. Let us embrace this assurance, trusting in His will, even when the path ahead seems uncertain.