Daily Readings - Sun Dec 15 2024
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
In today's readings, we are invited to reflect on the themes of joy, trust in God, and living out our faith through moral actions. The prophet Zephaniah brings a message of hope and consolation to Zion, urging her to rejoice because God is in her midst and has removed her enemies. This message is a reminder that even in difficult times, God's presence brings joy and liberation. In Philippians, Paul encourages the community to rejoice always and not be anxious, trusting in God's peace that surpasses all understanding. This teaching emphasizes the importance of maintaining joy and peace amidst life's challenges. In the Gospel, John the Baptist calls the crowd, tax collectors, and soldiers to live justly and not abuse their power, while also announcing the coming of the Messiah who will bring purification and judgment.
These readings are connected by the theme of joy and trust in God. Zephaniah and Paul both emphasize rejoicing in the Lord, while John the Baptist calls for a life of moral integrity as we await the Messiah. The readings remind us that our faith should lead us to trust in God's providence and live in a way that reflects our commitment to justice and compassion. The moral lesson here is that true rejoicing in the Lord leads to a life of service and ethical living. As we prepare for the coming of Christ, we are called to examine our lives and ensure that our actions align with the values of the Kingdom of God.
In our daily lives, we can apply these teachings by finding joy in our faith, trusting in God's plan, and living out our faith through moral actions. Let us strive to be people of integrity, treating others justly and avoiding exploitation. May we also remember that our ultimate hope is in the Messiah who will purify us and bring us closer to God. As we journey through life, may we always rejoice in the Lord and live in a way that reflects His love and justice.