Amos 9:11-15 / Matthew 9:14-17
In the Old Testament, the phrase "It is the Lord who speaks ... " appears many times and what follows can be called a prophecy and it is usually through the mouth of the prophet that the word of the Lord came forth.
Such is the case in the 1st reading and it contains two prophecies. Both begin with "It is the Lord who speaks:"
Both also started off in a similar way - "That day ... " and "The days are coming now ... "
It gives an expectation of sometime in the future where something wonderful is going to happen where there will be restoration and blessings to come.
Indeed, it is a time to look forward to. It is a time to hope for.
But there are two sides to a prophecy. Like two wings of a dove, biblical prophecy contains twin characteristics which are in harmony with one another.
The first, foretelling, predicts the future by announcing the will of God and his plans for his people. Foretelling calls the faithful to cooperate with God’s holy intentions through prayer, patience, and faithful obedience.
The second, forthtelling applies to the present circumstances. Forthtelling calls God’s people to repentance and draws them back to the covenant promises and lessons of old. The Old Testament prophets frequently served as social and political reformers.
The prophecies of the Old Testament are fulfilled in Jesus when He came. He came to bring us out of mourning and sadness to rejoicing and gladness.
That day or the day to come is already here and now. Jesus has spoken. He will lift us from mourning and sadness so that we will rejoice and be glad.