Daily Readings - Sat Sep 30 2023
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 powerful messages of hope and trust in God's plan. The first reading from Zechariah presents a vision of Jerusalem without walls, symbolizing God's protective presence and abundance. This prophecy, spoken during the rebuilding of Jerusalem after the exile, reassures the people of God's enduring presence and promises a future where His glory will dwell among them. The second reading from Luke captures a pivotal moment where Jesus heals a boy and then foretells his betrayal. Despite the disciples' confusion and fear, Jesus emphasizes the importance of understanding His mission, highlighting the necessity of self-giving love.
These readings intertwine through their themes of divine presence and trust. Zechariah's vision encourages trust in God's providence, while Luke's narrative invites us to embrace the mystery of faith. Just as the disciples faced uncertainty, we too are called to trust in God's plan, even when it seems unclear. The readings remind us that God's presence is our strength, guiding us through life's challenges.
Applying this to our daily lives, we are urged to trust God in uncertain times, just as the disciples had to trust Jesus. The moral lesson here is one of faith and surrender. In moments of doubt, we should recall God's promise to be our refuge and strength. Let us embrace this trust, allowing God's presence to guide us, and may we find the courage to follow His will, even when the path is unclear.