Daily Readings - Tue Dec 15 2020
Zephaniah
1Woe to the provocatrix and the redeemed city, the dove2She has not heeded the voice, nor has she accepted discipline. She has not trusted in the Lord; she did not draw near to her God9For then I will restore to the people a chosen lip, so that all may invoke the name of the Lord and may serve him with one shoulder10From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia, my supplicants, the sons of my diaspora, will carry a gift to me11In that day, you will not be ashamed over all of your inventions, by which you have transgressed against me. For then I will take away from your midst your arrogant boasters, and you will no longer be exalted on my holy mountain12And I will bequeath into your midst a poor and needy people, and they will hope in the name of the Lord13The remnant of Israel will not do iniquity, nor speak lies, and a deceitful tongue will not be found in their mouth. For they will pasture and will recline, and there will be no one to strike them with terror
Matthew
28But how does it seem to you? A certain man had two sons. And approaching the first, he said: ‘Son, go out today to work in my vineyard.29And responding, he said, ‘I am not willing.’ But afterwards, being moved by repentance, he went30And approaching the other, he spoke similarly. And answering, he said, ‘I am going, lord.’ And he did not go31Which of the two did the will of the father?" They said to him, "The first." Jesus said to them: "Amen I say to you, that tax collectors and prostitutes shall precede you, into the kingdom of God32For John came to you in the way of justice, and you did not believe him. But the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. Yet even after seeing this, you did not repent, so as to believe him
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of repentance, humility, and the importance of living out our faith in sincerity. In the first reading from Zephaniah, we hear a prophetic call to the people of Jerusalem, who have become complacent and rebellious. Zephaniah warns them of the consequences of their pride and lack of trust in God, but he also offers a message of hope: a remnant of humble and faithful people will be restored and will live in peace, trusting in the Lord. This passage reminds us that God’s justice is not about punishment but about purification and renewal.
In the Gospel, Jesus tells the parable of the two sons, challenging the chief priests and Pharisees to examine their own hypocrisy. The first son initially refuses his father’s request but later repents and obeys, while the second son agrees eagerly but fails to follow through. Jesus uses this story to critique the religious leaders who claimed to be faithful but did not live out their faith in action. He then contrasts them with tax collectors and prostitutes, who, despite their sinfulness, were able to recognize their need for repentance and turn to God. This parable emphasizes that it is not words or appearances that matter, but the sincerity of our hearts and our willingness to act in accordance with God’s will.
These readings call us to reflect on our own lives. How often do we, like the Pharisees, present ourselves as righteous on the outside while neglecting to live out our faith in humility and love? How often do we, like the first son, resist God’s call but later repent and follow Him? The good news is that God is always ready to welcome us back, to restore us, and to give us new life. Let us ask ourselves today: Are we living as humble and faithful servants of the Lord, or are we caught up in our own pride and complacency? May we learn to trust in God’s mercy and to follow Him with sincerity, so that we may truly bear fruit in our lives.