Daily Readings - Tue Oct 03 2017
Zechariah
20This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Many peoples and the inhabitants of many cities will yet come,21and the inhabitants of one city will go to another and say, 'Let us go at once to entreat the LORD and seek the LORD Almighty. I myself am going.'22And many peoples and powerful nations will come to Jerusalem to seek the LORD Almighty and to entreat him."23This is what the LORD Almighty says: "In those days ten men from all languages and nations will take firm hold of one Jew by the hem of his robe and say, 'Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you.'"
Luke
51As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.52And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him;53but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem.54When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, "Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?"55But Jesus turned and rebuked them,56and they went to another village.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful messages of unity, divine presence, and the call to embody God's love. The first reading from Zechariah paints a vivid picture of a future where people from all nations gather in Jerusalem, united by their desire to seek the Lord. This vision emphasizes God's universal presence and the ultimate unity He desires among all peoples. The Gospel from Luke presents a contrasting scene where Jesus faces rejection by the Samaritans, yet He responds not with anger but with a lesson on the true nature of His mission: to save, not to destroy.
The context of Zechariah's prophecy is one of hope and restoration, pointing to a time when God's people will live in peace and harmony. Luke's narrative, however, is set during Jesus' journey to Jerusalem, highlighting His unwavering commitment to His mission despite rejection. Both readings remind us that God's plan is universal, embracing all people, and that our response to adversity should reflect His love and mercy.
In our daily lives, these readings challenge us to embrace diversity and to seek unity amidst differences. Just as Jesus chose love over retaliation, we too can respond to rejection and challenges with compassion and understanding. Let us strive to be instruments of God's love, bringing people together rather than driving them apart. May we reflect God's heart by choosing love and unity, just as Jesus did on His journey to Jerusalem.