Daily Readings - Sun Dec 12 2021
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 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.