Daily Readings - Sat Sep 25 2021
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 God's presence and protection. The First Reading from Zechariah presents a vision where an angel measures Jerusalem, signifying its expansion and God's promise to be a wall of fire around it. This vision, from a post-exilic context, offers hope to a restored Jerusalem, emphasizing God's enduring presence and protection. The Gospel from Luke shifts focus to Jesus, who heals a boy and foretells His betrayal. This passage, part of Jesus's journey to Jerusalem, highlights the disciples' struggle to comprehend His mission, illustrating the mystery of faith.
Both readings intertwine themes of divine presence and protection. Zechariah's vision portrays God as a protective fire, while Luke's narrative shows Jesus embodying this presence, even in His Passion. This connection underscores God's unwavering love and the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus, blending hope with the reality of His mission.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to trust in God's presence, even amidst uncertainty. Like the disciples, we may face mysteries beyond our understanding, but faith calls us to embrace these moments with courage. The moral lesson here is the importance of trusting God's plan, recognizing His presence as our strength. Let us find comfort in God's protective love, whether in times of joy or trial, and may this trust guide us in living out our faith with resilience and hope.