Daily Readings - Fri May 31 2024

First Reading - Zephaniah 3.14-18 or Romans 12.9-16

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

Chapter 12

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

Chapter 1

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

The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of joy, trust, and the transformative power of God’s presence in our lives. In the first reading from Zephaniah, we hear a prophetic call to rejoice because God has removed judgment and fear, and now dwells in the midst of His people. This passage, written in a time of great turmoil, offers a message of hope and consolation, reminding us that God’s love and strength are always with us, even in the darkest moments. The prophet urges us not to be afraid, for God rejoices over us with gladness and will bring us peace. In the Gospel, we find a beautiful expression of joy and faith in the encounter between Mary and Elizabeth. Mary, upon learning of her cousin’s pregnancy, hastens to her side, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, greets Mary as the mother of the Lord. Mary’s response, known as the Magnificat, is a hymn of praise that reflects her deep trust in God’s plan and her recognition of His mercy and justice. She acknowledges the greatness of God and the humility of her own state, yet she is filled with joy because she knows that God has done something extraordinary through her. These readings are deeply connected. Both Zephaniah and Luke invite us to trust in God’s plan and to find joy in His presence. Zephaniah reminds us that God’s love is not distant but is actively at work in our lives, while Luke shows us how Mary’s faith and openness to God’s will lead to a moment of profound grace and transformation. In our own lives, we are called to embrace this same spirit of trust and joy. When we face challenges or uncertainties, we can turn to God, knowing that He is always with us, strengthening us and guiding us. Like Mary, we can say, “My soul magnifies the Lord,” even in the midst of trials, because we trust that His mercy and love will see us through. Let us reflect on how we can cultivate this kind of faith and joy in our daily lives. Are we open to God’s plan, even when it seems unexpected or difficult? Do we trust that He is always working for our good? Let us ask for the grace to see God’s presence in our midst, to rejoice in His love, and to trust in His providence, just as Mary and the people of Zephaniah’s time did. May our hearts be filled with the same joy and trust, and may we, like Mary, be bearers of God’s love and hope to those around us.