Daily Readings - Tue Dec 13 2022
Zephaniah
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."
Matthew
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
In today's readings, we encounter powerful messages about repentance, obedience, and the true nature of our relationship with God. The prophet Zephaniah addresses a rebellious city, urging its people to turn back to the Lord. Despite their initial defiance, God promises restoration, vowing to remove the arrogant and bring in the humble who seek Him. This message of hope is tempered by a call to sincerity, as Zephaniah emphasizes that true faith is not about words but about a changed life.
In the Gospel, Jesus presents a parable of two sons, highlighting the contrast between intention and action. The first son, though initially resistant, ultimately obeys, while the second agrees but does not follow through. Jesus uses this to illustrate that those often considered outsiders—tax collectors and prostitutes—enter the kingdom before the self-righteous, because they humbly repent. This challenges us to examine our own commitments and actions, reminding us that faith is not just about what we say, but what we do.
These readings remind us that true faith requires humility and action. We are called to move beyond mere words to a life transformed by repentance. In our daily lives, let us reflect on our commitments, ensuring that our actions align with our beliefs. May we embrace the humility to repent and the courage to live out our faith, trusting in God's promise of restoration and renewal.