Daily Catholic Mass Readings for December 16, 2025
First Reading: Zephaniah 3.1-2, 9-13
1Woe to her who is rebellious and defiled, the oppressing city!2She listens to no voice; she accepts no correction. She does not trust in the LORD; she does not draw near to her God.9"For at that time I will change the speech of the peoples to a pure speech, that all of them may call upon the name of the LORD and serve him with one accord.10From beyond the rivers of Cush my worshipers, the daughter of my dispersed ones, shall bring my offering.11"On that day you shall not be put to shame because of the deeds by which you have rebelled against me; for then I will remove from your midst your proudly exultant ones, and you shall no longer be haughty in my holy mountain.12But I will leave in your midst a people humble and lowly. They shall seek refuge in the name of the LORD,13those who are left in Israel; they shall do no injustice and speak no lies, nor shall there be found in their mouth a deceitful tongue. For they shall graze and lie down, and none shall make them afraid."
Psalm 34
1I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.2My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad.3Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together!4I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.5Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.6This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him and saved him out of all his troubles.7The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.8Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!9Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack!10The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.11Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.12What man is there who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good?13Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.14Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.15The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry.16The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth.17When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.18The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.19Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.20He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken.21Affliction will slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.22The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.
Gospel: Matthew 21.28-32
28"What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work in the vineyard today.'29And he answered, 'I will not,' but afterward he changed his mind and went.30And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, 'I go, sir,' but did not go.31Which of the two did the will of his father?" They said, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you.32For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him.
Sermon
Our readings today present a powerful challenge to our understanding of faith and obedience. The prophet Zephaniah, condemning a rebellious city, highlights its failure to heed God's voice, to trust, and to accept discipline. Yet, amidst this critique, there is a profound promise: God will purify a remnant, a "poor and needy people" who will truly hope in His name, live without deceit, and find peace, contrasting sharply with the "arrogant boasters." In the Gospel, Jesus tells the parable of the two sons, one who initially says "no" but ultimately does his father's will, and another who says "yes" but fails to act. Jesus then applies this directly, noting that tax collectors and prostitutes, who despite their sinful past believed John the Baptist and repented, will enter the Kingdom before the religious leaders who, for all their outward piety, refused to believe or repent.
Both passages converge on the essential truth that genuine faith is not merely a matter of words, outward profession, or social status, but of a transformed heart expressed through obedient action. It is better to have initially erred and then truly repented and submitted to God's will, like the first son or the tax collectors, than to outwardly profess righteousness while inwardly refusing to obey, like the second son or the "provocatrix" city. God seeks a humble spirit, one that is willing to acknowledge its failings and then turn towards Him, drawing near and accepting His discipline. Let us reflect today on where our true allegiance lies: in the sincerity of our words, or in the diligent and repentant actions that truly fulfill His call and allow us to be counted among His faithful remnant.