Daily Readings - Sat Sep 28 2019
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 two profound messages that invite us to reflect on trust and hope in God's plan. The first reading from Zechariah presents a vision of Jerusalem without walls, symbolizing a future where God's presence and protection encompass a multitude of people and nations. This vision, set in a post-exilic context, offers hope to a community rebuilding their lives, emphasizing God's promise to dwell among them as a wall of fire, signifying both protection and divine presence.
The Gospel from Luke shifts our focus to Jesus, who, after healing a boy, foretells His Passion. The disciples, however, fail to grasp this prediction, highlighting their struggle with the unknown. This scene, occurring in the context of Jesus' ministry, underscores the disciples' fear and lack of understanding, serving as a moment of tension and anticipation.
Both readings connect through the theme of trust amidst uncertainty. Zechariah's vision calls us to hope in God's expansive plan, while Luke's narrative reminds us that even in the face of suffering, God's presence remains steadfast. In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to trust in God's plan, even when it's unclear. They remind us to face challenges with faith, knowing that God's presence is our constant companion.
The moral lesson here is clear: trust in God's plan and find hope in His presence. Just as Jerusalem was promised protection and expansion, we too are assured of God's guidance and care. Let us embrace this assurance, trusting in His will, even when the path ahead seems uncertain.