Daily Readings - Thu Dec 21 2017
First Reading - Zephaniah 3.14-18a or Song of Solomon 2.8-14
Zephaniah
14Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem!15The LORD has taken away the judgments against you; he has cleared away your enemies. The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst; you shall never again fear evil.16On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: "Fear not, O Zion; let not your hands grow weak.17The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.18I will gather those of you who mourn for the festival, so that you will no longer suffer reproach.
Song of Solomon
8The voice of my beloved! Behold, he comes, leaping over the mountains, bounding over the hills.9My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag. Behold, there he stands behind our wall, gazing through the windows, looking through the lattice.10My beloved speaks and says to me: "Arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come away,11for behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone.12The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.13The fig tree ripens its figs, and the vines are in blossom; they give forth fragrance. Arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come away.14O my dove, in the clefts of the rock, in the crannies of the cliff, let me see your face, let me hear your voice, for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely.
Luke
39In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah,40and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.41And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit,42and she exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!43And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?44For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.45And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord."
Sermon
In today's readings, we are presented with themes of joy, trust, and the profound presence of God in our lives. The first reading from Zephaniah invites us to rejoice, for God is in our midst, bringing salvation and dispelling fear. This passage, written in a time of despair, offers hope and restoration, urging us to trust in God's plan. The Gospel from Luke recounts the visitation of Mary to Elizabeth, where the unborn John the Baptist leaps in recognition of Jesus' presence. Elizabeth's praise of Mary highlights the blessedness of faith and the fulfillment of God's promises.
Both readings are set in contexts where trust in God's plan is central. Zephaniah's message was one of hope to a people facing judgment, while Luke's narrative showcases the early events surrounding Jesus' birth, emphasizing faith and recognition of divine work. The connection between the two lies in their emphasis on trust and rejoicing in God's presence, even amidst challenges.
In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to embrace trust in God's plan and to find joy in His presence. Just as Mary and Elizabeth recognized God's work, we too can acknowledge His presence in our lives and in others. The moral lesson here is one of faith and community—trusting God's plan and supporting one another in our spiritual journeys. Let us strive to live with such faith, finding joy in God's presence and trusting in His loving care.