As I pondered today's readings I was prompted, as I often am, to look to what is missing from the readings. Often the readings that we are given for each day are pieced together. I've lamented this before but basically we see the readings look like today's first reading from the prophet Zephaniah 3:1-2, 9-13. The actual chapter of this book is 20 verses. So, what is missing today is verses 3-8 and 14-20. I've posted the entire chapter below and placed the missing verses in bold and italics.
When I read the missing verses my heart skipped a beat. Is it not talking about our present day with "officials" as roaring lions, "judges" are desert wolves, "prophets" are reckless, "priests" profane what is holy, streets are deserted...? It's as though I'm reading the morning news.
One could argue that this was written thousands of years ago for a particular place and time. I agree. One could argue also that the human race tends toward sin and we will see this pattern until the Lord returns. I agree. I would also argue that we should read these ancient writings as a warning because the pattern of sin repeats generation to generation. More importantly, I would argue that this entire chapter should make us pause, repent, and find great hope in the fact that God is always in our midst and ever faithful.
As we continue to rush headlong into the final days of Advent and headlong into the tumult of nations, pandemics, wars, and rumors of wars, let us pause, pray, repent, and trust. Let us learn from this prophet that we should trust in the Lord to "remove the disaster from among you so that no one may recount your disgrace."
Please prayerfully read the entire chapter below. What do you hear and see? What are your thoughts? Hope? Despair? Trust? Fear? Let me know in the comments how you interpret this chapter.
Zephaniah Chapter 3
Ah! Rebellious and polluted,
the tyrannical city!
It listens to no voice,
accepts no correction;
In the LORD it has not trusted,
nor drawn near to its God.
Its officials within it
are roaring lions;
Its judges are desert wolves
that have no bones to gnaw by morning.
Its prophets are reckless,
treacherous people;
Its priests profane what is holy,
and do violence to the law.
But the LORD in its midst is just,
doing no wrong;
Morning after morning rendering judgment
unfailingly, at dawn;
the wicked, however, know no shame.
I have cut down nations,
their battlements are laid waste;
I have made their streets deserted,
with no one passing through;
Their cities are devastated,
with no one dwelling in them.
I said, “Surely now you will fear me,
you will accept correction;
They cannot fail to see
all I have brought upon them.”
Yet the more eagerly they have done
all their corrupt deeds.
Therefore, wait for me—oracle of the LORD—
until the day when I arise as accuser;
For it is my decision to gather nations,
to assemble kingdoms,
In order to pour out upon them my wrath,
all my blazing anger;
For in the fire of my passion
all the earth will be consumed.
For then I will make pure
the speech 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 will not be ashamed
of all your deeds,
when you rebelled against me;
For then I will 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 lie down
with none to disturb them.
Shout for joy, daughter Zion!
sing joyfully, Israel!
Be glad and exult with all your heart,
daughter Jerusalem!
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.
On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem:
Do not fear, Zion,
do not be discouraged!
The LORD, your God, is in your midst,
a mighty savior,
Who will rejoice over you with gladness,
and renew you in his love,
Who will sing joyfully because of you,
as on festival days.
I will remove disaster from among you,
so that no one may recount your disgrace.
At that time I will deal
with all who oppress you;
I will save the lame,
and assemble the outcasts;
I will give them praise and renown
in every land where they were shamed.
At that time I will bring you home,
and at that time I will gather you;
For I will give you renown and praise,
among all the peoples of the earth,
When I bring about your restoration
before your very eyes, says the LORD.
We can quickly tie all of this to today's Gospel story about the two sons. One said he would do the Father's will and did not while the other said he would not but did in the end. This Gospel shows us that it is not too late. If we've said yes to God but have turned away, we can always turn back. If we initially said no to God, again, He waits with open arms.
Click here to read more from James M. Hahn -
Blog -
Books Check out his
ongoing memoir about life with his special-needs daughter.
If you'd like to
make a donation to help get this book about Catherine completed, our family would greatly appreciate that and you'll be the first to know when it's ready.
God bless you - Jim Hahn
* Contains affiliate links. No, that doesn't mean that the kids should leave the room. Rather, it means that if you click on a link, and if you purchase something, I may get some financial remuneration for that click and buy. All that means is that my kids will finally get to eat, just kidding but I may get something, just so you know...
Comments