Daily Readings - Sat Oct 14 2023
Joel
12"Let the nations be roused; let them advance into the Valley of Jehoshaphat, for there I will sit to judge all the nations on every side.13Swing the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Come, trample the grapes, for the winepress is full and the vats overflow- so great is their wickedness!"14Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.15The sun and moon will be darkened, and the stars no longer shine.16The LORD will roar from Zion and thunder from Jerusalem; the earth and the sky will tremble. But the LORD will be a refuge for his people, a stronghold for the people of Israel.17"Then you will know that I, the LORD your God, dwell in Zion, my holy hill. Jerusalem will be holy; never again will foreigners invade her.18"In that day the mountains will drip new wine, and the hills will flow with milk; all the ravines of Judah will run with water. A fountain will flow out of the LORD's house and will water the valley of acacias.19But Egypt will be desolate, Edom a desert waste, because of violence done to the people of Judah, in whose land they shed innocent blood.20Judah will be inhabited forever and Jerusalem through all generations.21Their bloodguilt, which I have not pardoned, I will pardon." The LORD dwells in Zion!
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful messages about God's judgment, restoration, and the path to true blessedness. The First Reading from Joel paints a vivid picture of the Day of the Lord, a time of reckoning where nations are judged in the valley of Jehoshaphat. Joel's prophecy is both a warning and a promise—while there is desolation for the unrepentant, there is also restoration for Judah, with imagery of abundance and a fountain from the Lord's house bringing life to the desert. This passage reminds us that God's justice is not just punitive but also restorative, offering hope to those who remain faithful.
The Gospel from Luke shifts our focus to the living out of God's word. When a woman praises Jesus' mother, He responds by emphasizing that true blessedness comes not from physical connection but from hearing and keeping God's word. This teaching underscores the importance of obedience and faithfulness in our daily lives. Jesus is not diminishing the value of Mary's role but highlighting that spiritual blessedness surpasses physical ties. This message aligns with Joel's themes of judgment and restoration, as both readings call us to align our lives with God's will.
As we reflect on these readings, we are invited to examine our own lives. Are we living according to God's word, preparing for His judgment, and trusting in His plan? The moral lesson here is clear: true blessedness is found in a life of faith and obedience. Let us strive to keep God's word close to our hearts, knowing that this path leads to restoration and eternal life. In doing so, we embody the hope and justice that Joel prophesied and the spiritual blessedness that Jesus taught.