Daily Readings - Fri Dec 21 2018
First Reading - Zephaniah 3.14-18a or Song of Solomon 2.8-14
Zephaniah
14Sing, O Daughter of Zion; shout aloud, O Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O Daughter of Jerusalem!15The LORD has taken away your punishment, he has turned back your enemy. The LORD, the King of Israel, is with you; never again will you fear any harm.16On that day they will say to Jerusalem, "Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands hang limp.17The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."18"The sorrows for the appointed feasts I will remove from you; they are a burden and a reproach to you.
Song of Solomon
8Listen! My lover! Look! Here he comes, leaping across the mountains, bounding over the hills.9My lover is like a gazelle or a young stag. Look! There he stands behind our wall, gazing through the windows, peering through the lattice.10My lover spoke and said to me, "Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, and come with me.11See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone.12Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land.13The fig tree forms its early fruit; the blossoming vines spread their fragrance. Arise, come, my darling; my beautiful one, come with me."14My dove in the clefts of the rock, in the hiding places on the mountainside, show me your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely.
Luke
39At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea,40where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth.41When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.42In a loud voice she exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!43But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?44As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.45Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!"
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful themes of joy and divine presence. The prophet Zephaniah invites us to rejoice, for God has removed judgment and fear, dwelling among His people to bring salvation. This message of hope was spoken to a people facing judgment, offering them a future filled with God's presence and joy. In the Gospel, Luke shares the visitation story where Mary, carrying Jesus, visits Elizabeth, who is filled with the Holy Spirit. The unborn John the Baptist leaps for joy, and Elizabeth praises Mary's faith, highlighting the Holy Spirit's active role in their lives.
Both readings connect through the theme of joy inspired by God's presence. Zephaniah's vision of a joyful community is fulfilled in Luke, where the Holy Spirit brings joy to Elizabeth and John. This connection reminds us that God's presence in our lives is a source of joy, even amidst challenges. The Holy Spirit's action in both readings underscores the transformative power of faith.
Applying this to our daily lives, we are reminded to trust in God's plan and recognize His presence, especially in uncertain times. Just as Mary trusted God's plan, leading to the joy of salvation, we too can find joy in our faith. The moral lesson here is the importance of trust and faith, allowing God's presence to bring us joy and peace. Let us embrace this joy, knowing God is always with us, guiding us with love.