Daily Catholic Mass Readings for December 15, 2020
First Reading: Zephaniah 3.1-2, 9-13
1Woe to the city of oppressors, rebellious and defiled!2She obeys no one, she accepts no correction. She does not trust in the LORD, she does not draw near to her God.9"Then will I purify the lips of the peoples, that all of them may call on the name of the LORD and serve him shoulder to shoulder.10From beyond the rivers of Cush my worshipers, my scattered people, will bring me offerings.11On that day you will not be put to shame for all the wrongs you have done to me, because I will remove from this city those who rejoice in their pride. Never again will you be haughty on my holy hill.12But I will leave within you the meek and humble, who trust in the name of the LORD.13The remnant of Israel will do no wrong; they will speak no lies, nor will deceit be found in their mouths. They will eat and lie down and no one will make them afraid."
Psalm 34
1I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.2My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.3Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together.4I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.5Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.6This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.7The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.8Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.9Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing.10The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.11Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.12Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days,13keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies.14Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.15The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry;16the face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth.17The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.18The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.19A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all;20he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.21Evil will slay the wicked; the foes of the righteous will be condemned.22The LORD redeems his servants; no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him.
Gospel: Matthew 21.28-32
28"What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work today in the vineyard.'29"'I will not,' he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.30"Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, 'I will, sir,' but he did not go.31"Which of the two did what his father wanted?The first," they answered.32Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of repentance, humility, and the importance of living out our faith in sincerity. In the first reading from Zephaniah, we hear a prophetic call to the people of Jerusalem, who have become complacent and rebellious. Zephaniah warns them of the consequences of their pride and lack of trust in God, but he also offers a message of hope: a remnant of humble and faithful people will be restored and will live in peace, trusting in the Lord. This passage reminds us that God’s justice is not about punishment but about purification and renewal.
In the Gospel, Jesus tells the parable of the two sons, challenging the chief priests and Pharisees to examine their own hypocrisy. The first son initially refuses his father’s request but later repents and obeys, while the second son agrees eagerly but fails to follow through. Jesus uses this story to critique the religious leaders who claimed to be faithful but did not live out their faith in action. He then contrasts them with tax collectors and prostitutes, who, despite their sinfulness, were able to recognize their need for repentance and turn to God. This parable emphasizes that it is not words or appearances that matter, but the sincerity of our hearts and our willingness to act in accordance with God’s will.
These readings call us to reflect on our own lives. How often do we, like the Pharisees, present ourselves as righteous on the outside while neglecting to live out our faith in humility and love? How often do we, like the first son, resist God’s call but later repent and follow Him? The good news is that God is always ready to welcome us back, to restore us, and to give us new life. Let us ask ourselves today: Are we living as humble and faithful servants of the Lord, or are we caught up in our own pride and complacency? May we learn to trust in God’s mercy and to follow Him with sincerity, so that we may truly bear fruit in our lives.