Daily Readings - Tue May 31 2022

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

In today’s readings, we encounter powerful expressions of joy, trust, and the transformative power of God’s presence in our lives. The first reading from Zephaniah invites us to rejoice because God has removed judgment and fear, promising to dwell in our midst and save us. This prophet’s words, spoken in a time of great uncertainty, remind us that even in darkness, God’s love and deliverance are always near. The Gospel, from Luke, brings us into the intimate scene of the Visitation, where Mary, carrying Jesus, visits her cousin Elizabeth. Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, praises Mary for her faith, and Mary responds with the Magnificat, a beautiful hymn of praise that celebrates God’s mercy, humility, and the reversal of human fortunes. These readings are deeply connected. Both Zephaniah and Mary’s Magnificat emphasize the joy that comes from trusting in God’s plan and recognizing His presence in our lives. Zephaniah calls us to rejoice because God is our strength and salvation, while Mary’s song lifts up the humble and marginalized, reflecting God’s preference for those who are often overlooked. Together, they remind us that true joy and peace come not from our own achievements but from surrendering to God’s will and trusting in His love. As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: Where do we find joy in our lives? Do we, like Mary, trust in God’s plan even when it seems uncertain? Do we, like Zephaniah, recognize God’s presence in our midst, especially in times of challenge? Let us cultivate a spirit of humility and trust, knowing that God’s mercy endures forever. May we, like Mary, magnify the Lord in our hearts and lives, and may we, like Elizabeth, welcome the presence of God in those around us. In doing so, we will find the true joy and peace that only God can give.