Daily Readings - Sat Nov 28 2020
Revelation
1And he showed me the river of the water of life, shining like crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb2In the midst of its main street, and on both sides of the river, was the Tree of Life, bearing twelve fruits, offering one fruit for each month, and the leaves of the tree are for the health of the nations3And every curse shall be no more. But the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants shall serve him4And they shall see his face. And his name shall be on their foreheads5And night shall be no more. And they will not need the light of a lamp, nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illuminate them. And they shall reign forever and ever6And he said to me: "These words are entirely faithful and true." And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent his Angel to reveal to his servant what must occur soon7"For behold, I am approaching quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.
Luke
34But be attentive to yourselves, lest perhaps your hearts may be weighed down by self-indulgence and inebriation and the cares of this life. And then that day may overwhelm you suddenly35For like a snare it will overwhelm all those who sit upon the face of the entire earth36And so, be vigilant, praying at all times, so that you may be held worthy to escape from all these things, which are in the future, and to stand before the Son of man.
Sermon
In today's readings, we are presented with vivid imagery and profound teachings that guide us toward a deeper understanding of our faith. The first reading from Revelation 22:1-7 paints a picture of the heavenly Jerusalem, where the river of life flows from God's throne, and the Tree of Life bears fruit for the healing of nations. This vision is a testament to God's promise of eternal life and the ultimate triumph over suffering. The Gospel from Luke 21:34-36, however, shifts our focus to the present, as Jesus warns us against being consumed by the cares of this world. He urges us to remain vigilant and prayerful, so that we may stand before Him when He comes again.
These readings, though different in tone, are deeply connected. Revelation offers us a glimpse of the eternal life we are called to, while Luke reminds us of the necessary preparation and mindfulness required to attain it. The apocalyptic vision in Revelation is not merely a future hope but a present reality that shapes how we live each day. Jesus' words in Luke serve as a call to action, encouraging us to detach from worldly distractions and remain focused on our spiritual journey. Together, they remind us that our ultimate goal is to stand before God, and this requires constant vigilance and prayer.
As we reflect on these readings, let us consider how they apply to our daily lives. In a world filled with distractions and temptations, it is easy to lose sight of what truly matters. Yet, Jesus calls us to be vigilant, to pray always, and to keep our hearts fixed on Him. The vision in Revelation reminds us that our struggles are not in vain, for God's plan is one of ultimate restoration and peace. Let us, therefore, live each day with hope and trust in God's plan, keeping our eyes fixed on the eternal life He promises. May we remain faithful and steadfast, ready to stand before the Son of Man when He comes.