Word to the Wise
Tuesday, September 30, 2025 - Tuesday in the 26th Week in Ordinary Time
[Zech 8:20-23 and Luke 9:51-56]Thus says the Lord of hosts: There shall yet come peoples, the inhabitants of many cities; and the inhabitants of one city shall approach those of another, and say, "Come! let us go to implore the favor of the Lord"; and, "I too will go to seek the Lord." Many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem and to implore the favor of the Lord. Thus says the Lord of hosts: In those days ten men of every nationality, speaking different tongues, shall take hold, yes, take hold of every Jew by the edge of his garment and say, "Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you." [Zechariah]
SEPTEMBER 30 ST. JEROME, doctor of the church
Zechariah's prophecy, which was delivered in the years following the return from the Babylonian exile and the rebuilding of the temple, would find fulfillment in a way he probably would not have expected in the spread of Christianity after Pentecost, when people of many nations heard the apostles speaking in many languages! But the line that always catches my eye is the last one. The vision speaks to a universal search for God, but that last line speaks to the personal witness that attracts the seeker.
This is an experience that many report who have come into the church through the OCIA process. They were attracted by the faith of a family member, friend or co-worker. In my own years in campus ministry, this often occurred when a faithful Catholic student is approached by a peer and asked if it would be possible to accompany the Catholic to Mass. "Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you!"
Faith is not spread by hanging out a sign that reads, "Baptized members only!" at the front door. AMEN