Mass Homily 2018 12 16
Clevelanddiocese 1st Reading - Zephaniah 3:14-18a The theme of the first two weeks is carried on with this week’s selection from Zephaniah. “On that day” the people of God will be restored. “The Lord, your God, is in your midst.” 14 Shout for joy, O daughter Zion! sing joyfully, O Israel! Be glad and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem! The remainder of this book consists of sayings about the coming day of vindication (verses 8, 11). This is the beginning of these jubilant reminders. The summons to rejoicing has its setting in victory or escape from defeat, as at the raising of a siege. 15 The LORD has removed the judgment against you, he has turned away your enemies; The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst, you have no further misfortune to fear. Here, Yahweh has intervened on behalf of His people as a defender. In Psalms 46 and 48, Yahweh’s presence in the midst of Jerusalem provides defensive rather than offensive help. 16 On that day, it …More