Based on the readings for Saturday, September 27, 2025—Zechariah 2:5–9, 14–15a; Jeremiah 31:10–13; and Luke 9:43b–45

Theme: “God Dwells in Our Midst—Even When We Don’t Understand”

In the first reading from Zechariah, we hear a beautiful promise: “I will be a wall of fire around her…and I will be the glory in her midst.” God is speaking of Jerusalem, but He’s also speaking to each of us. He’s saying, “I will protect you. I will dwell with you. You are not alone.”

This is echoed in the Psalm: “The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock.” It’s a tender image—God not as a distant ruler, but as a shepherd who walks with us, guides us, and defends us.

But then we reach the Gospel, and the tone shifts. Jesus tells His disciples something hard: “The Son of Man is going to be handed over.” And they don’t understand. Worse, they’re afraid to ask.

Isn’t that so human? We love the idea of God dwelling with us. But when suffering enters the picture, we hesitate. We don’t want to ask the hard questions. We don’t want to face the mystery of pain.

🛠️ Real-Life Reflections

Let me share a story. A woman named Carla lost her husband unexpectedly. She was devastated. For months, she couldn’t pray. She didn’t understand why God allowed it. But one day, she heard this passage from Zechariah at Mass: “I will be the glory in her midst.” And something shifted. She realized God hadn’t abandoned her—He was grieving with her. She began to pray again, not with answers, but with trust.

Or consider a young man named Jordan who was diagnosed with a chronic illness. He told me, “I used to think God was with me only when life was good. Now I know He’s with me in the hospital room, too.” That’s the wall of fire Zechariah speaks of—not a barrier to suffering, but a presence within it.

🙏 Takeaway

So today, let’s ask ourselves: Where do we need to feel God’s presence? Where are we afraid to ask the hard questions?

Jesus doesn’t rebuke the disciples for their fear. He simply continues walking with them. And He does the same with us.

God dwells in our midst—not just in our triumphs, but in our confusion, our grief, and our silence. He is our wall of fire. He is our shepherd. And He is not going anywhere.