Advent Reflection

Carry the Word with you by Mike Tuesday of the Third Week of Advent, Cycle 1 First reading of the day: Zephaniah 3:1-2, 9-13 Thus says the LORD: Woe to the city, rebellious and polluted, to the tyrannical city! She hears no voice, accepts no correction; in the LORD she has not trusted, to her God she has not drawn near. For then I will change and purify the lips of the peoples, that they all may call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one accord; from beyond the rivers of Ethiopia and as far as the recesses of the North, they shall bring me offerings. On that day, you need not be ashamed of all your deeds, your rebellious actions against me; for then will I remove from your midst the proud braggarts, and you shall no longer exalt yourself on my holy mountain. But I will leave as a remnant in your midst a people humble and lowly, who shall take refuge in the name of the LORD: the remnant of Israel. They shall do no wrong and speak no lies; nor shall there be found in their mouths a deceitful tongue; they shall pasture and couch their flocks with none to disturb them. Gospel reading of the day: Matthew 21:28-32 Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people: “What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He came to the first and said, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ The son said in reply, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went. The man came to the other son and gave the same order. He said in reply, ‘Yes, sir,’ but did not go. Which of the two did his father’s will?” They answered, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the Kingdom of God before you. When John came to you in the way of righteousness, you did not believe him; but tax collectors and prostitutes did. Yet even when you saw that, you did not later change your minds and believe him.” Reflection on the readings: In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus observes that it is not those who cry out, "Lord, Lord," who are saved. Neither are those who do mighty works in Jesus' name. Rather, the people who are saved are the people who do the Father's will. So which of the two sons did his Father's will, Jesus asks in today's gospel. Zephaniah says it is the one who became humble and low, taking refuge in the Lord: the one who was authentic and spoke no lies, the one who was naked before the Lord in the totality of reliance on God's mercy.

http://cacina.wordpress.com/2014/12/15/carry-the-word-with-you-15/