Daily Readings - Wed May 31 2017
First Reading - Zephaniah 3.14-18 or Romans 12.9-16
Zephaniah
14Sing, O Daughter of Zion; shout aloud, O Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O Daughter of Jerusalem!15The LORD has taken away your punishment, he has turned back your enemy. The LORD, the King of Israel, is with you; never again will you fear any harm.16On that day they will say to Jerusalem, "Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands hang limp.17The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."18"The sorrows for the appointed feasts I will remove from you; they are a burden and a reproach to you.
Romans
9Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.11Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.13Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.15Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Luke
39At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea,40where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth.41When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.42In a loud voice she exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!43But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?44As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.45Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!"46And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,48for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed,49for the Mighty One has done great things for me--holy is his name.50His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.51He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.52He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.53He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.54He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful55to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers."56Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful messages of joy, trust, and transformation through God’s presence. The first reading from Zephaniah invites us to rejoice, for God has removed judgment and is in our midst, offering strength and salvation. This prophetic text, written during a time of impending judgment, brings hope by promising restoration and an end to fear. The context suggests a period when Israel faced oppression, and Zephaniah’s words were a beacon of light, assuring them of God’s enduring presence and deliverance.
The Gospel from Luke presents the Visitation, where Mary, upon visiting Elizabeth, experiences a moment of profound recognition and joy. Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, acknowledges Mary as the mother of the Lord, and Mary responds with the Magnificat, a hymn of praise that reflects her deep faith and understanding of God’s mercy and power. This scene, part of the infancy narrative, highlights Mary’s trust and the early signs of Jesus’ significance, setting the stage for the transformative power of God’s plan.
These readings intertwine through themes of trust, joy, and God’s transformative power. Zephaniah’s assurance of God’s presence and Luke’s depiction of Mary’s faith encourage us to trust in God’s providence. In our daily lives, we are invited to find joy in God’s presence, even amidst challenges, and to live with faith, knowing His mercy endures. Let us reflect on how our trust in God can transform our lives, leading us to a deeper joy and a commitment to serving others, just as Mary’s faith led her to magnify the Lord.