Daily Readings - Mon May 31 2021
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 find a beautiful tapestry woven by the prophets and the Gospel, inviting us to reflect on hope, joy, and trust in God. The prophet Zephaniah offers a message of hope to Jerusalem, urging the people to rejoice because God is in their midst, having removed their enemies and fears. This prophecy, written in a time of impending judgment, transitions into a vision of salvation, preparing the hearts of the people for the coming Messiah.
The Gospel from Luke brings us to the visitation of Mary to Elizabeth, where the encounter is filled with the Holy Spirit. Elizabeth, filled with joy, acknowledges Mary as the mother of the Lord, and Mary responds with the Magnificat, a hymn of praise that reflects her deep trust in God's plan. Her song is not just a personal expression but a universal declaration of God's mercy and justice, where the proud are humbled and the humble are exalted.
These readings connect through their themes of joy and trust. Zephaniah's assurance of God's presence and deliverance finds its fulfillment in Mary's faith and praise. As we apply this to our lives, we are reminded to trust God in uncertain times and to live with humility and gratitude. The moral lesson here is clear: rejoicing in God's presence and trusting in His plan, even amidst challenges, leads us to true faith and spiritual renewal.