Daily Readings - Sun Dec 12 2021

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.

Philippians

Chapter 4

⁴Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!⁵Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.⁶Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.⁷And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Luke

Chapter 3

¹⁰"What should we do then?" the crowd asked.¹¹John answered, "The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same."¹²Tax collectors also came to be baptized. "Teacher," they asked, "what should we do?"¹³"Don't collect any more than you are required to," he told¹⁴them. Then some soldiers asked him, "And what should we do?" He replied, "Don't extort money and don't accuse people falsely--be content with your pay."¹⁵The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Christ.¹⁶John answered them all, "I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.¹⁷His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."¹⁸And with many other words John exhorted the people and preached the good news to them.

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.