Daily Readings - Thu Nov 26 2020
Revelation
1And after these things, I saw another Angel, descending from heaven, having great authority. And the earth was illuminated by his glory2And he cried out with strength, saying: "Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great. And she has become the habitation of demons, and the keepsake of every unclean spirit, and the possession of every unclean and hateful flying thing21And a certain strong Angel took up a stone, similar to a great millstone, and he cast it into the sea, saying: "With this force shall Babylon, that great city, be cast down. And she shall never be found again22And the sound of singers, and musicians, and flute and trumpet players shall not be heard in you again. And every artisan of every art shall not be found in you again. And the sound of the mill shall not be heard in you again23And the light of the lamp shall not shine in you again. And the voice of the groom and of the bride shall not be heard in you anymore. For your merchants were the leaders of the earth. For all the nations were led astray by your drugs
1After these things, I heard something like the voice of many multitudes in heaven, saying: "Alleluia! Praise and glory and power is for our God2For true and just are his judgments, he who has judged the great harlot that corrupted the earth by her prostitution. And he has vindicated the blood of his servants from her hands.3And again, they said: "Alleluia! For her smoke ascends forever and ever.9And he said to me: "Write: Blessed are those who have been called to the wedding feast of the Lamb." And he said to me, "These words of God are true.
Luke
20Then, when you will have seen Jerusalem encircled by an army, know then that its desolation has drawn near21Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and those who are in its midst withdraw, and those who are in the countryside not enter into it22For these are the days of retribution, so that all things may be fulfilled, which have been written23Then woe to those who are pregnant or nursing in those days. For there will be great distress upon the land and great wrath upon this people24And they will fall by the edge of the sword. And they will be led away as captives into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by the Gentiles, until the times of the nations are fulfilled25And there will be signs in the sun and the moon and the stars. And there will be, on earth, distress among the Gentiles, out of confusion at the roaring of the sea and of the waves26men withering away out of fear and out of apprehension over the things that will overwhelm the whole world. For the powers of the heavens will be moved27And then they will see the Son of man coming on a cloud, with great power and majesty28But when these things begin to happen, lift up your heads and look around you, because your redemption draws near.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we journey through themes of judgment, redemption, and trust in God’s plan. The first reading from Revelation vividly describes the fall of Babylon, a symbol of evil and corruption, and the subsequent celebration in heaven. This apocalyptic vision reminds us of God’s ultimate victory over evil, urging us to remain detached from worldly allurements. The Gospel from Luke presents Jesus prophesying the destruction of Jerusalem and the signs of the end times, emphasizing the need for vigilance and trust in God’s providence.
Both readings, though set in different contexts, unite in their message of judgment and redemption. Revelation’s cosmic perspective contrasts with Luke’s historical prophecy, yet both point to the same truth: God’s justice will prevail. This duality calls us to reflect on our own lives, recognizing that amidst life’s turmoil, God’s plan unfolds. We are reminded to stay faithful, trusting in His will and seeking His truth.
In our daily lives, these readings inspire us to remain steadfast in our faith, avoiding the enticements of a corrupt world. They encourage us to trust in God’s plan, even when faced with uncertainty. The moral lesson is clear: trust in God and seek His will, for His justice and love will guide us through all trials. Let us lift our hearts, knowing our redemption is near.