Daily Readings for September 28, 2015

1ST READING

 

Zechariah assured the people that God’s dwelling place was in Jerusalem, the Holy City. He also referred to Jerusalem as the city found in the Apocalyptic writings, the City where God dwells forever. The New Jerusalem is the true homeland of God’s people. We must look beyond the earthly meaning of God’s Words and discover their eternal meaning. God dwells in the city of the New Jerusalem forever, and it is this city to which we truly belong as His disciples.

Zechariah 8:1-8

1 This word of the Lord of hosts came: Thus says the Lord of hosts: 2 I am intensely jealous for Zion, stirred to jealous wrath for her. 3 Thus says the Lord: I will return to Zion, and I will dwell within Jerusalem; Jerusalem shall be called the faithful city, and the mountain of the Lord of hosts, the holy mountain. 4 Thus says the Lord of hosts: Old men and old women, each with staff in hand because of old age, shall again sit in the streets of Jerusalem. 5 The city shall be filled with boys and girls playing in her streets. 6 Thus says the Lord of hosts: Even if this should seem impossible in the eyes of the remnant of this people, shall in those days be impossible in my eyes also, says the Lord of hosts? 7 Thus says the Lord of hosts: Lo, I will rescue my people from the land of the rising sun, and from the land of the setting sun. 8 I will bring them back to dwell within Jerusalem. They shall be my people, and I will be their God, with faithfulness and justice.

 

P S A L M

 

Psalm 102:16-18, 19-21, 29, 22-23

R: The Lord will build up Zion again, and appear in all his glory.

15 [16] The nations shall revere your name, O Lord, and all the kings of the earth your glory, 16 [17] when the Lord has rebuilt Zion and appeared in his glory; 17 [18] when he has regarded the prayer of the destitute, and not despised their prayer. (R) 18 [19] Let this be written for the generation to come, and let his future creatures praise the Lord: 19 [20] “The Lord looked down from his holy height, from heaven he beheld the earth, 20 [21] to hear the groaning of the prisoners, to release those doomed to die.” (R) 28 [29] The children of your servants shall abide, and their posterity shall continue in your presence. 21 [22] That the name of the Lord may be declared in Zion; and his praise, in Jerusalem, 22 [23] when the peoples gather together, and the kingdoms, to serve the Lord. (R)

 

GOSPEL

 

Competition for attention breaks Jesus’ heart. Leadership is all about service. Faith is all about loving God and our neighbor. Service is about meeting the needs of others. There is no place for seeking the glory of the world in the life of faith. Jesus is the greatest among us and the rest of us are far behind Him in greatness. 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

The Son of Man came to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Luke 9:46-50

46 An argument arose among the disciples about which of them was the greatest. 47 Jesus realized the intention of their hearts and took a child and placed it by his side 48 and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. For the one who is least among all of you is the one who is the greatest.” 49 Then John said in reply, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow in our  company.” 50 Jesus said to him, “Do not prevent him, for whoever is not against you is for you.”

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