“For I will leave in the midst of you
a people humble and lowly.
They shall seek refuge in the name of the Lord— the remnant of Israel;
they shall do no wrong
and utter no lies,
nor shall a deceitful tongue
be found in their mouths.
Then they will pasture and lie down,
and no one shall make them afraid.” Zephaniah 3:12-13
In Zephaniah, God tells His people that He will bring out of their midst a remnant. A people who will seek refuge in God and not be afraid. He says this remnant will come out of the “soiled city” with roaring leaders of faithless people who don’t trust in the Lord.
Today, our nation is soiled by its sin. Our leaders are loudmouths who do for themselves with no thought of or fear of the Lord. So many today, even within the Church don’t seem to believe in God, let alone trust Him. How many Catholics truly believe in the Real Presence of the Eucharist, or seek ways around Mass, or skip Confession, or don’t look to God for help because they are “self-made”? How many Catholics are pro-abortion? It’s a tragic state of times for sure.
This can be so difficult. A hardship of times for those who believe. If we profess out true faith, we are ridiculed and laughed at or plain out attacked.
But, these words recorded by Zephaniah should give hope over hope. The Lord God, Adonai, declares that He will uphold and defend you. You will lay down in trusting God and not be afraid. He will take away judgement against you.
“The Lord has taken away the judgments against you, he has turned away your enemies.
The king of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; you shall fear disaster no more.” Zephaniah 3:15
“The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory” Zephaniah 3:17
God Himself will call a small remnant from the soiled city. When He does, He Himself will be their defense. Many will see this remnant and try to attack it but others will see and look for guidance. For hope.
The Church’s true believers may seem to be few, but, the Lord has proven that He is a mighty warrior who guarantees victory, even with ‘too few’ to win. Hold strong to the true faith. Stay stalwart in the face of society. Stand strong when things seem dark or hopeless. Hold your facts of faith deep within. Find others of the ‘remnant’ to who to draw close. Surrender to God and draw close to the Eucharist. Stay clean in Confession. Trust.
Will you be ready to be called?