Daily Readings - Sat Sep 25 2021
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 profound visions of God's presence and protection. The First Reading from Zechariah presents a vision where an angel measures Jerusalem, signifying its expansion and God's promise to be a wall of fire around it. This vision, from a post-exilic context, offers hope to a restored Jerusalem, emphasizing God's enduring presence and protection. The Gospel from Luke shifts focus to Jesus, who heals a boy and foretells His betrayal. This passage, part of Jesus's journey to Jerusalem, highlights the disciples' struggle to comprehend His mission, illustrating the mystery of faith.
Both readings intertwine themes of divine presence and protection. Zechariah's vision portrays God as a protective fire, while Luke's narrative shows Jesus embodying this presence, even in His Passion. This connection underscores God's unwavering love and the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus, blending hope with the reality of His mission.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to trust in God's presence, even amidst uncertainty. Like the disciples, we may face mysteries beyond our understanding, but faith calls us to embrace these moments with courage. The moral lesson here is the importance of trusting God's plan, recognizing His presence as our strength. Let us find comfort in God's protective love, whether in times of joy or trial, and may this trust guide us in living out our faith with resilience and hope.