Saint Jerome, Priest and Doctor of the Church

Title

The Future is God’s to Reveal

Outline

How many times has someone acted on the future?

They tell you what the future will be and why and they call for action.

It may be a coming climate phenomena

It may be a social change

It may be a situation in the Church

They tell you how to respond.

We may need to respond to what we see happening now, but only God knows the future

Zechariah sees a “man” with a measuring cord

going to measure Jerusalem. Wise to do in light of the urban development going on. But then another “messenger” comes and says to inform the first that Jerusalem would be unwalled - planning not appropriate - and that instead of a wall God would be a “wall of fire” encircling it.

In other words, the proper action with respect to the future was rejoicing and praising God, not urban planning.

Jesus is having successful ministry.

All are amazed, I am sure including the disciples. They are probably planning the take-over of Israel. Jesus says, “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men.” The type of victory they were thinking about was not at hand. It was time to prepare theirs hearts and minds for his self-sacrifice.

They, of course, did not get what he was talking about, continued with their plans, and as a result were shocked, shamed, and scandalized, requiring Jesus’ restoration.

So, sisters, we do not know the future

At least we do not have the timeline or the details.

We can see what looks probable and can plan accordingly so that we are prepared. It may be near-term, such as pulling cars under cover because a severe hailstorm is predicted. It may be longer-term, such as the Order’s seeing inquiries or applications rising and deciding to build larger facilities or agree to supply teachers to more schools. That is necessary, even if it turns out that God has some other plans.

But we must always hold the future tentatively

We ask God to show us what he wants us to do in the light of the future that he knows.

We tell God what seems to us as reasonable plans in the light of the probable future and ask him to change them if we are just showing our ignorance. Hold all plans lightly.

We trust God for the future in general and relax into our duties in the present preparing to be trustingly surprised by the future he brings or by how he cares for us in the future we may have feared.

Live this before your students and you will be preparing them to live in God’s real future rather than in anxiety in the light of our projected futures.

Readings

Catholic Daily Readings 9-30-2023: Saint Jerome, Priest and Doctor of the Church

FIRST READING

Zechariah 2:5–9, 14–15a

5 I raised my eyes and looked, and there was a man with a measuring cord in his hand. 6 I asked, “Where are you going?” And he said, “To measure Jerusalem—to see how great its width is and how great its length.”

7 Then the angel who spoke with me advanced as another angel came out to meet him 8 and he said to the latter, “Run, speak to that official: Jerusalem will be unwalled, because of the abundance of people and beasts in its midst. 9 I will be an encircling wall of fire for it—oracle of the LORD—and I will be the glory in its midst.”

14 Sing and rejoice, daughter Zion! Now, I am coming to dwell in your midst—oracle of the LORD. 15 Many nations will bind themselves to the LORD on that day. They will be my people, and I will dwell in your midst. Then you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you.

Catholic Daily Readings 9-30-2023: Saint Jerome, Priest and Doctor of the Church

RESPONSE

Jeremiah 31:10d

10 Hear the word of the LORD, you nations,

proclaim it on distant coasts, and say:

The One who scattered Israel, now gathers them;

he guards them as a shepherd his flock.

PSALM

Jeremiah 31:10–12b, 13

10 Hear the word of the LORD, you nations,

proclaim it on distant coasts, and say:

The One who scattered Israel, now gathers them;

he guards them as a shepherd his flock.

11 The LORD shall ransom Jacob,

he shall redeem him from a hand too strong for him.

12 Shouting, they shall mount the heights of Zion,

they shall come streaming to the LORD’s blessings:

The grain, the wine, and the oil,

flocks of sheep and cattle;

They themselves shall be like watered gardens,

never again neglected.

13 Then young women shall make merry and dance,

young men and old as well.

I will turn their mourning into joy,

I will show them compassion and have them rejoice after their sorrows.

Catholic Daily Readings 9-30-2023: Saint Jerome, Priest and Doctor of the Church

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

2 Timothy 1:10

10 but now made manifest through the appearance of our savior Christ Jesus, who destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,

GOSPEL

Luke 9:43b–45

43 And all were astonished by the majesty of God.

While they were all amazed at his every deed, he said to his disciples, 44 “Pay attention to what I am telling you. The Son of Man is to be handed over to men.” 45 But they did not understand this saying; its meaning was hidden from them so that they should not understand it, and they were afraid to ask him about this saying.

Notes

Catholic Daily Readings 9-30-2023: Saint Jerome, Priest and Doctor of the Church

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 | MEMORIAL

SAINT JEROME, PRIEST AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH

YEARS 1 & 2 | ROMAN MISSAL | LECTIONARY

From Saturday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time

First Reading Zechariah 2:5–9, 14–15a

Response Jeremiah 31:10d

Psalm Jeremiah 31:10–12b, 13

Gospel Acclamation 2 Timothy 1:10

Gospel Luke 9:43b–45