Daily Readings - Fri Dec 21 2018

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 encounter powerful themes of joy and divine presence. The prophet Zephaniah invites us to rejoice, for God has removed judgment and fear, dwelling among His people to bring salvation. This message of hope was spoken to a people facing judgment, offering them a future filled with God's presence and joy. In the Gospel, Luke shares the visitation story where Mary, carrying Jesus, visits Elizabeth, who is filled with the Holy Spirit. The unborn John the Baptist leaps for joy, and Elizabeth praises Mary's faith, highlighting the Holy Spirit's active role in their lives. Both readings connect through the theme of joy inspired by God's presence. Zephaniah's vision of a joyful community is fulfilled in Luke, where the Holy Spirit brings joy to Elizabeth and John. This connection reminds us that God's presence in our lives is a source of joy, even amidst challenges. The Holy Spirit's action in both readings underscores the transformative power of faith. Applying this to our daily lives, we are reminded to trust in God's plan and recognize His presence, especially in uncertain times. Just as Mary trusted God's plan, leading to the joy of salvation, we too can find joy in our faith. The moral lesson here is the importance of trust and faith, allowing God's presence to bring us joy and peace. Let us embrace this joy, knowing God is always with us, guiding us with love.