Reflection for Sunday – December 15, 2024

Deirdre McKiernan HetzlerSunday Readings Homilies

Readings: Zephaniah 3:14-18a; Philippians 4:4-7; Luke 3:10-18 
Preacher: Deirdre McKiernan Hetzler

“Rejoice!” “And again, I say, rejoice!” writes Paul. “Sing aloud!” “Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem!” says the prophet Zephaniah.

Neither Paul, in prison, nor the oppressed and sinful Israelites in exile, would seem to have much to rejoice about. And these days, many people might identify with them. For all the divisions and stresses in our country and our church that Ruth named last week.

But…”God is in your midst… God will rejoice over you with gladness…God will sing joyfully because of you as one sings at festivals.”

Wait a minute! Full stop! “God will sing joyfully because of you.” Think about that! How astonishing is it that our God would sing joyfully because of us! Because of you and me!

Our God is clearly into abundance and excess. Zephaniah speaks of forgiveness. Of judgments removed. God sings for joy because relationships will be restored. The Christ child, whose birth anniversary we await, comes to offer us that same love and forgiveness. Restored relationships in the One who comes to save us. God sings for joy over us!

Have some members of Paul’s community in Philippi been struggling with the cost of following Jesus? As you and I know, that road can be difficult at times. To live in gentleness, as St Paul exhorts the community, provides a stark contrast to many worldly values. To model our lives, our actions on the life and actions of Jesus is challenging. St Paul tells them, and us, that this is indeed possible because God is in our midst. Mindful that God is near, we can face anything. That is what enables us to rejoice.

Recently, a retired widow friend discovered that a push broom had gotten lodged under her car. When her attempts to move it failed, she called for help. Problem solved instantly. Along with some other problems. At no charge! She said she burst into a joyful song of thanks for God’s kindness revealed in this man.

In today’s Gospel, John the Baptist speaks of repentance and conversion. He must have been an incredible preacher! A man aflame with the Spirit of God. Speaking on God’s behalf. “One who is more powerful than I will come after me. He will baptize you with the Spirit and fire.” And his hearers catch the flame! In great humility, the various groups respond, asking “What should we do?” John doesn’t pronounce any dogma. Nor demand any Herculean tasks. Instead, he gives some practical examples for changing one’s lifestyle in the everyday. “Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise.” Don’t make money by shady business practices. (Does any of this bring to mind Jesus’ words in Matthew 25?)

God’s genuine followers try to allow God’s unconditional love and forgiveness to flow through us toward the world. As we try to model our daily lives—our actions and our choices—on the life and actions of Jesus, God is in our midst. God is singing joyfully over us!

Deirdre McKiernan Hetzler
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