Daily Readings - Thu May 31 2018

First Reading - Zephaniah 3.14-18 or Romans 12.9-16

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

Chapter 12

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

Chapter 1

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 are invited to reflect on the themes of joy, trust, and God's providential care. The first reading from Zephaniah calls us to rejoice and exult with all our heart, for the Lord is in our midst, bringing salvation and strength. This prophetic text reminds us that even in the midst of challenges, God's presence is a source of comfort and hope. The Gospel, from Luke, presents us with the beautiful scene of the Visitation, where Mary, carrying Jesus in her womb, visits her cousin Elizabeth. Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, recognizes the blessing of Mary's faith and the gift of the Messiah within her. Mary's Magnificat, a hymn of praise, expresses her deep trust in God's plan and her humility in accepting her role as the handmaid of the Lord. These readings are deeply connected in their emphasis on trust and joy in God's plan. Zephaniah's prophecy of salvation is fulfilled in the Gospel, where Mary and Elizabeth embody the faith and hope that God's promises inspire. Mary's visit to Elizabeth shows us the power of community and the support we can find in one another as we walk in faith. Her song, the Magnificat, is a beautiful expression of surrender to God's will and recognition of His mercy and justice. It reminds us that true joy comes from trusting in God's plan, even when it seems uncertain or challenging. As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: Do we trust in God's plan for our lives? Do we allow ourselves to rejoice in His presence, even in difficult times? Mary's example teaches us the importance of humility and faith. Like her, we are called to magnify the Lord and to recognize the great things He does in our lives. Let us strive to live with the same trust and joy, knowing that God is always with us, guiding us and strengthening us. May we, like Mary and Elizabeth, be open to the Holy Spirit's inspiration and allow our lives to be a testament to God's love and mercy.