September 27, 2025 – Saturday of the 25th week of Ordinary Time
Zechariah 2:5-9, 14-15a; Luke 9:43b-45
Homily
We continue our reading of chapter 9 of Luke's Gospel, which we began a few days ago.
Peter's profession of faith in Caesarea was followed by Jesus' first announcement of his Passion. “The Son of Man,” he said, “must suffer greatly, be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, be killed, and on the third day rise again.” About eight days later, Jesus took Peter, James, and John with him up the mountain, where he was transfigured before them. After that, he made the second announcement of the Passion—which is the short text we have just read—and then came the long journey to Jerusalem, during which Luke placed several of Jesus' most radical calls to follow him, in particular the call to the rich young man to give up all his possessions and follow him.
The immediate context of these calls, in the context of Jesus' ascent to Jerusalem, where he will be crucified, clearly shows that Christian asceticism takes on its meaning in participation in the Paschal mystery of Christ. We also find here the meaning of the Church's mission. These events take place just after the first sending of the Twelve on mission and their return; and these same events will be immediately followed by the sending of the Seventy-Two on mission.
And the first reading, taken from the prophet Zechariah, sheds additional light on this economy of salvation. We read God's promise to Jerusalem to make it his dwelling place: “Sing and rejoice, daughter of Zion; behold, I am coming, I will dwell in your midst—says the Lord. On that day, many nations will join themselves to the Lord; they will be my people, and I will dwell in your midst.” "
This promise is fulfilled in a special way each time we celebrate the Eucharist in the Church, the memorial of the Lord.
*** We also celebrate today the memorial of Saint Vincent de Paul
Let us continue this celebration in thanksgiving.