Daily Catholic Mass Readings for December 16, 2025
First Reading: Zephaniah 3.1-2, 9-13
1Woe to her that is filthy and polluted, to the oppressing city!2She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the LORD; she drew not near to her God.9For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent.10From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, even the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring mine offering.11In that day shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy doings, wherein thou hast transgressed against me: for then I will take away out of the midst of thee them that rejoice in thy pride, and thou shalt no more be haughty because of my holy mountain.12I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD.13The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed 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 shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.3O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.4I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.5They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.6This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.7The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.8O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.9O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.10The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.11Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.12What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?13Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.14Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.15The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.16The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.17The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.18The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.19Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.20He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.21Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.22The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.
Gospel: Matthew 21.28-32
28But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard.29He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.30And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.31Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.32For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might 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.