Daily Readings - Tue May 31 2022
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 encounter powerful expressions of joy, trust, and the transformative power of God’s presence in our lives. The first reading from Zephaniah invites us to rejoice because God has removed judgment and fear, promising to dwell in our midst and save us. This prophet’s words, spoken in a time of great uncertainty, remind us that even in darkness, God’s love and deliverance are always near. The Gospel, from Luke, brings us into the intimate scene of the Visitation, where Mary, carrying Jesus, visits her cousin Elizabeth. Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, praises Mary for her faith, and Mary responds with the Magnificat, a beautiful hymn of praise that celebrates God’s mercy, humility, and the reversal of human fortunes.
These readings are deeply connected. Both Zephaniah and Mary’s Magnificat emphasize the joy that comes from trusting in God’s plan and recognizing His presence in our lives. Zephaniah calls us to rejoice because God is our strength and salvation, while Mary’s song lifts up the humble and marginalized, reflecting God’s preference for those who are often overlooked. Together, they remind us that true joy and peace come not from our own achievements but from surrendering to God’s will and trusting in His love.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: Where do we find joy in our lives? Do we, like Mary, trust in God’s plan even when it seems uncertain? Do we, like Zephaniah, recognize God’s presence in our midst, especially in times of challenge? Let us cultivate a spirit of humility and trust, knowing that God’s mercy endures forever. May we, like Mary, magnify the Lord in our hearts and lives, and may we, like Elizabeth, welcome the presence of God in those around us. In doing so, we will find the true joy and peace that only God can give.