Daily Readings - Sun Dec 16 2018
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.
Philippians
4Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.5Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.6Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.7And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Luke
10And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?11He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.12Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do?13And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you.14And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.15And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not;16John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:17Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.18And many other things in his exhortation preached he unto the people.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of joy, trust, and living a life of integrity. In the first reading from Zephaniah, we hear a call to rejoice because God has removed judgment and is in our midst, offering strength and salvation. The prophet urges us not to fear but to trust in God’s presence and love. This message of hope is rooted in the context of a people who had faced exile and hardship but are now reminded of God’s faithfulness. The reading from Philippians echoes this call to joy, encouraging us to rejoice always and to let our requests be known to God with thanksgiving. St. Paul reminds us that the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard our hearts and minds if we approach life with prayer and humility.
In the Gospel, Luke presents John the Baptist, who prepares the people for the coming of the Messiah. John’s message is practical: he tells the crowd, tax collectors, and soldiers to live justly and compassionately. To those with extra, he says, “Give to those who have none.” To tax collectors, he advises fairness, and to soldiers, he urges non-violence and contentment. John’s words emphasize that true repentance is not just about feeling sorry but about changing how we live. He also points to one greater than himself, Jesus, who will bring the Holy Spirit and fire to purify and transform hearts.
These readings connect in their call to trust in God’s presence and to live in a way that reflects that trust. Zephaniah and Philippians encourage us to rejoice and not fear, while Luke’s Gospel challenges us to put our faith into action. In our daily lives, we are called to live with integrity, to share what we have, and to act justly in our relationships and work. Let us ask ourselves: Am I trusting in God’s presence? Am I living in a way that reflects His love and justice? May we, like John the Baptist, prepare our hearts for the coming of the Lord by living lives of humility, compassion, and trust in God’s plan.