Daily Readings - Wed Nov 21 2018
Revelation
1After these things, I saw, and behold, a door was opened in heaven, and the voice that I heard speaking with me first was like a trumpet, saying: "Ascend to here, and I will reveal to you what must occur after these things.2And immediately I was in the Spirit. And behold, a throne had been placed in heaven, and there was One sitting upon the throne3And the One who was sitting there was similar in appearance to a stone of jasper and sardius. And there was an iridescence surrounding the throne, in aspect similar to an emerald4And surrounding the throne were twenty-four smaller thrones. And upon the thrones, twenty-four elders were sitting, clothed entirely in white vestments, and on their heads were gold crowns5And from the throne, lightnings and voices and thunders went forth. And there were seven burning lamps before the throne, which are the seven spirits of God6And in view of the throne, there was something that seemed like a sea of glass, similar to crystal. And in the middle of the throne, and all around the throne, there were four living creatures, full of eyes in front and in back7And the first living creature resembled a lion, and the second living creature resembled a calf, and the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature resembled a flying eagle8And each of the four living creatures had upon them six wings, and all around and within they are full of eyes. And they took no rest, day or night, from saying: "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and who is, and who is to come.9And while those living creatures were giving glory and honor and blessings to the One sitting upon the throne, who lives forever and ever10the twenty-four elders fell prostrate before the One sitting upon the throne, and they adored him who lives forever and ever, and they cast their crowns before the throne, saying11"You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you have created all things, and they became and were created because of your will.
Luke
11As they were listening to these things, continuing on, he spoke a parable, because he was nearing Jerusalem, and because they guessed that the kingdom of God might be manifested without delay12Therefore, he said: "A certain man of nobility traveled to a far away region, to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return13And calling his ten servants, he gave them ten pounds, and he said to them: ‘Do business until I return.14But his citizens hated him. And so they sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this one to reign over us.15And it happened that he returned, having received the kingdom. And he ordered the servants, to whom he had given the money, to be called so that he would know how much each one had earned by doing business16Now the first approached, saying: ‘Lord, your one pound has earned ten pounds.17And he said to him: ‘Well done, good servant. Since you have been faithful in a small matter, you will hold authority over ten cities.18And the second came, saying: ‘Lord, your one pound has earned five pounds.19And he said to him, ‘And so, you shall be over five cities.20And another approached, saying: ‘Lord, behold your one pound, which I kept stored in a cloth21For I feared you, because you are an austere man. You take up what you did not lay down, and you reap what you did not sow.22He said to him: ‘By your own mouth, do I judge you, O wicked servant. You knew that I am an austere man, taking up what I did not lay down, and reaping what I did not sow23And so, why did you not give my money to the bank, so that, upon my return, I might have withdrawn it with interest?24And he said to the bystanders, ‘Take the pound away from him, and give it to him who has ten pounds.25And they said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten pounds.26So then, I say to you, that to all who have, it shall be given, and he will have in abundance. And from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken from him27‘Yet truly, as for those enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here, and put them to death before me.’ 28And having said these things, he went ahead, ascending to Jerusalem
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are invited to reflect on the themes of worship, accountability, and the kingdom of God. The first reading from Revelation offers a glimpse into the heavenly throne room, where God is worshiped by the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures. This vision emphasizes God’s majesty and the eternal adoration that surrounds him. The Gospel, from Luke, presents a parable about a nobleman who entrusts his servants with resources before departing to claim his kingdom. Upon his return, he holds them accountable for how they used what was given to them. Those who were faithful and fruitful are rewarded, while the one who buried his gift out of fear is reproached. The parable concludes with a stern warning to those who reject the nobleman’s rule, foreshadowing the consequences of rejecting God’s sovereignty.
The readings are connected by the theme of accountability and the call to live in a way that reflects our ultimate allegiance to God. Revelation reminds us that our worship is not just an earthly act but a foretaste of the eternal praise that surrounds God’s throne. The parable from Luke challenges us to consider how we use the gifts, talents, and opportunities God has entrusted to us. Both readings encourage us to live with purpose and responsibility, knowing that our actions have eternal consequences.
As we reflect on these passages, let us ask ourselves: How am I using the resources God has given me? Am I living in a way that reflects my commitment to God’s kingdom? Let us strive to be faithful stewards, not out of fear, but out of love and gratitude for the One who has entrusted us with so much. May we worship God with our lives, using our gifts to build up his kingdom, and may we be prepared to give an account of our stewardship when we stand before him.