Daily Readings - Sat Sep 30 2017
Zechariah
1Then I looked up-and there before me was a man with a measuring line in his hand!2I asked, "Where are you going?" He answered me, "To measure Jerusalem, to find out how wide and how long it is."3Then the angel who was speaking to me left, and another angel came to meet him4and said to him: "Run, tell that young man, 'Jerusalem will be a city without walls because of the great number of men and livestock in it.5And I myself will be a wall of fire around it,' declares the LORD, 'and I will be its glory within.'10"Shout and be glad, O Daughter of Zion. For I am coming, and I will live among you," declares the LORD.11"Many nations will be joined with the LORD in that day and will become my people. I will live among you and you will know that the LORD Almighty has sent me to you.
Luke
43And they were all amazed at the greatness of God.44While everyone was marveling at all that Jesus did, he said to his disciples, "Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you: The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men."45But they did not understand what this meant. It was hidden from them, so that they did not grasp it, and they were afraid to ask him about it.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound visions of divine presence and purpose. The first reading from Zechariah presents a prophetic vision where Jerusalem is measured, symbolizing God's promise of protection and restoration. Without physical walls, the city is safeguarded by God's fiery presence, and it becomes a place where many nations unite under the Lord. This vision speaks of a future where God's glory is central, and His people dwell securely in His midst.
The Gospel from Luke shifts our focus to Jesus, who demonstrates His power by healing a boy possessed by an unclean spirit. This miracle amazes the crowd, yet Jesus follows it with a foreboding statement about His impending betrayal. The disciples, however, fail to grasp the significance of His words, highlighting the tension between the present marvels and the future sacrifice that lies ahead.
These readings invite us to reflect on trust and faith in God's plan. Just as Zechariah's vision calls for trust in God's protective presence, Luke's narrative urges us to embrace the mystery of Jesus' mission, even when it leads to the cross. In our daily lives, we may face uncertainties and challenges, but these readings remind us to trust in God's providence and to seek His presence as our strength. Let us, like the disciples, strive to understand and embrace the deeper truths of our faith, knowing that God's plan, though sometimes unclear, is always for our good.