Daily Readings - Sun Dec 12 2021
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.
Philippians
4Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.5Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;6do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Luke
10And the crowds asked him, "What then shall we do?"11And he answered them, "Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise."12Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, "Teacher, what shall we do?"13And he said to them, "Collect no more than you are authorized to do."14Soldiers also asked him, "And we, what shall we do?" And he said to them, "Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages."15As the people were in expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Christ,16John answered them all, saying, "I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.17His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."18So with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of joy, trust in God, and living a life of integrity and compassion. In the first reading from Zephaniah, we hear a call to rejoice because God is in our midst, saving and strengthening us. This prophet speaks to a people who have endured hardship, reminding them that God’s presence brings freedom from fear and the promise of deliverance. The second reading from Philippians echoes this call to joy, urging us to rejoice always and to trust in God’s nearness. Paul reminds us that our anxieties can be lifted when we turn to prayer and thanksgiving, allowing God’s peace to guard our hearts and minds.
The Gospel from Luke shifts our focus to the practical implications of living a life of faith. John the Baptist, responding to the crowds, tax collectors, and soldiers, gives specific instructions on how to live justly and compassionately. He calls us to share what we have, to act with integrity in our work, and to be content with what we have. John’s message is one of repentance and preparation for the coming of the Messiah, who will bring the Holy Spirit and purify hearts. Together, these readings remind us that our faith is not just about feeling joyful or trusting in God’s presence; it is also about living in a way that reflects God’s justice and love.
As we apply these readings to our daily lives, we are challenged to examine how we live out our faith. Do we rejoice in God’s presence, even in difficult times? Do we trust in God’s providence, turning to prayer and thanksgiving instead of anxiety? And do we live with integrity and compassion, sharing our resources, acting justly, and being content with what we have? The moral lesson here is clear: our faith must lead us to action. We are called to be people of joy and trust, but also people of justice and love. As we prepare for the coming of the Lord, let us strive to live in a way that reflects His presence in our hearts and in the world around us.