Daily Readings - Thu Nov 19 2020
Revelation
1And in the right hand of the One sitting upon the throne, I saw a book, written inside and out, sealed with seven seals2And I saw a strong Angel, proclaiming with a great voice, "Who is worthy to open the book and to break its seals?3And no one was able, neither in heaven, nor on earth, nor under the earth, to open the book, nor to gaze upon it4And I wept greatly because no one was found worthy to open the book, nor to see it5And one of the elders said to me: "Weep not. Behold, the lion from the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has prevailed to open the book and to break its seven seals.6And I saw, and behold, in the midst of the throne and the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, a Lamb was standing, as if it were slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God, sent forth to all the earth7And he approached and received the book from the right hand of the One sitting upon the throne8And when he had opened the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having stringed instruments, as well as golden bowls full of fragrances, which are the prayers of the saints9And they were singing a new canticle, saying: "O Lord, you are worthy to receive the book and to open its seals, because you were slain and have redeemed us for God, by your blood, from every tribe and language and people and nation10And you have made us into a kingdom and into priests for our God, and we shall reign over the earth.
Luke
41And when he drew near, seeing the city, he wept over it, saying42"If only you had known, indeed even in this your day, which things are for your peace. But now they are hidden from your eyes43For the days will overtake you. And your enemies will encircle you with a valley. And they will surround you and hem you in on every side44And they will knock you down to the ground, with your sons who are in you. And they will not leave stone upon stone within you, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful visions and poignant laments that invite us to reflect on God's plan and our response to it. The first reading from Revelation presents a dramatic scene where a sealed book, symbolizing God's plan, can only be opened by the Lamb, who is Jesus. This imagery underscores Jesus' role as the Messiah, worthy of opening the seals and revealing God's will. The passage from Luke, however, shifts our focus to Jesus weeping over Jerusalem, expressing sorrow over the city's failure to recognize the time of its visitation, which foretells its impending destruction.
These readings, while distinct in tone, share a common theme: the recognition of God's presence and plan. Revelation, written in a time of persecution, offers hope to early Christians through the vision of Jesus as the Lamb, emphasizing His divine authority and the unfolding of God's plan. In contrast, Luke's narrative highlights the consequences of spiritual blindness, as Jerusalem's inability to recognize Jesus leads to tragedy. Together, they remind us of the importance of spiritual awareness and the need to discern God's presence in our lives.
In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to be attentive to God's invitations and to respond with openness and faith. Just as the Lamb in Revelation is worthy to open the seals, we are called to recognize Jesus' presence and allow His will to guide us. Like Jerusalem, we face moments where our response to God's call can lead to either peace or turmoil. Let us reflect on how we welcome God into our hearts and lives, striving to recognize His visitation and embrace His plan, thereby finding peace and avoiding the sorrow of missed opportunities.