Daily Readings - Thu Dec 21 2017
First Reading - Zephaniah 3.14-18a or Song of Solomon 2.8-14
Zephaniah
14Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem.15The LORD hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more.16In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack.17The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.18I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who are of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burden.
Song of Solomon
8The voice of my beloved! behold, he cometh leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills.9My beloved is like a roe or a young hart: behold, he standeth behind our wall, he looketh forth at the windows, shewing himself through the lattice.10My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.11For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone;12The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;13The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.14O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the stairs, let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely.
Luke
39And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;40And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.41And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:42And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.43And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?44For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.45And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told 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.