💖 HOMILY - SEPTEMBER 27 💖

First Reading - Zechariah 2:5-9,14-15 

Gospel - Luke 9:43-45

We all know how deeply we long for security and stability. We build homes, save for the future, plan our careers, and do everything we can to protect our loved ones. Every human heart seeks a place where it can rest safely, a foundation that will not shake. Yet today’s readings remind us that no human effort, no wealth, no strategy, can give us the lasting security our souls truly need. True safety comes from God Himself.

In the first reading, God promises His people: “I will be a wall of fire all around her, and I will be the glory within her.” This was more than reassurance; it was a profound promise. God was saying, “I am your protection, your strength, and your dwelling place.” Instead of relying on walls of stone, armies, or human schemes, they were called to trust in God’s presence. He Himself would guard them and make their city glorious.

In the Gospel, we see Jesus speaking to His disciples about His coming suffering and death. The crowds are amazed by His miracles, but the disciples struggle to understand. Jesus teaches them — and us — that true glory and security often come through trust, even in what seems weak or frightening. Following Christ is not about avoiding difficulty or seeking comfort alone; it is about placing our confidence in God, knowing He is with us in every challenge.

Dear friends, the message for our lives today is both practical and motivating. How often do we worry about the future, cling tightly to what we have, or try to control outcomes beyond our reach? God is calling us to let go of these false securities and rely on His presence instead. This means trusting Him in our families, in our work, in our health, and in our relationships. It means turning to Him in prayer when anxiety rises, asking for His guidance when decisions seem difficult, and stepping forward in faith even when the path is uncertain.

When we let God be our wall of fire, we can live boldly. We no longer have to be ruled by fear or comparison. We can serve others with courage, speak truth with love, and act with integrity because we know that God Himself protects and sustains us. Even in hardship, even in trials, His glory dwells within us, giving strength, peace, and hope that the world cannot take away.

So today, let us make a choice: to build our lives not on human schemes or temporary comforts, but on God’s presence. Let us trust Him completely, let Him guard our hearts, and let His glory shine through our actions. When we do this, we become living witnesses of His protection and His love — and others around us will see that true security is found only in Him.