Zephaniah 3:1-2, 9-13; Psalm 34; Matthew 21:28-32
The Prophet Zephaniah invites the rebellious and defiled city to change so that she will not be put to shame on that day. The Lord says that he will change peoples’ ways and that truth will be spoken and shame will be removed. We are invited to change so that we may not be put to shame. In the same vein, the Gospel reading invites us to follow the footsteps of the first son in the parable – he was rebellious at first but changed later to do his father’s will. Advent is a season of repentance, the Christmas confession in many parishes is another opportunity to give expression to God’s will. Beloved, let us change our ways and be saved.
Let us pray
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins because of thy just punishments, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of Thy grace to sin no more and to avoid the near occasion of sin. Amen.
