25th Week in Ordinary Time
Cosmas and Damian

1st Reading: Zec 2:5–9, 14–15a
Gospel: Lk 9:43b–45
While all were amazed at everything Jesus did, he said to his disciples, “Listen and remember what I tell you now: The Son of Man will be delivered into human hands.” But the disciples didn’t understand this saying; something prevented them from grasping what he meant, and they were afraid to ask him about it.

Commentary
Zechariah is the longest and most obscure of the twelve minor prophets. It is the most messianic, the most apocalyptic and the most difficult of any of the Old Testament books to interpret. Zechariah predicted more about the messiah than any other prophet, except Isaiah. Here, today, we have a prediction of the coming of Christ in human nature. Many nations, on that day, will renounce atheism and idolatry; God will own those people, who decide to join Him with clear purpose of heart.
And today’s prophecy is quite remarkable; God is about to do something unexpected and very surprising: He is about to plead His people’s cause, which has long seemed neglected. Silently submitting to His holy will and patiently awaiting the event, we can be assured that God will complete all His work. Before long, He will come among us, to complete the salvation of His people and to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their sins. Christ has proclaimed that salvation concerns everyone, all of us who resolve that sin shall not have dominion over us. Those of us, who would be God’s children, must save ourselves from this world. With Christ, we can achieve anything!

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