Daily Readings - Tue Nov 02 2021

¹But Job answered by saying²³Who will grant to me that my words may be written down? Who will grant to me that they may be inscribed in a book²⁴with an iron pen and a plate of lead, or else be carved in stone²⁵For I know that my Redeemer lives, and on the last day I will rise out of the earth²⁶And I will be enveloped again with my skin, and in my flesh I will see my God²⁷It is he whom I myself will see, and he whom my eyes will behold, and no other. This, my hope, has taken rest in my bosom

1 Corinthians

Chapter 15

²⁰But now Christ has risen again from the dead, as the first-fruits of those who sleep²¹For certainly, death came through a man. And so, the resurrection of the dead came through a ma²²And just as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be brought to life²³but each one in his proper order: Christ, as the first-fruits, and next, those who are of Christ, who have believed in his advent

John

Chapter 12

²³But Jesus answered them by saying: "The hour arrives when the Son of man shall be glorified²⁴Amen, amen, I say to you, unless the grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies²⁵it remains alone. But if it dies, it yields much fruit. Whoever loves his life, will lose it. And whoever hates his life in this world, preserves it unto eternal life²⁶If anyone serves me, let him follow me. And where I am, there too my minister shall be. If anyone has served me, my Father will honor him

Sermon

In today's readings, we encounter profound reflections on hope, resurrection, and the transformative power of faith. The Book of Job presents a man in the depths of suffering, yet unwavering in his belief in a Redeemer who will restore him. Job's words are a testament to the enduring human spirit, which, even in darkness, clings to the promise of eternal life. His hope is not in temporary comfort but in the ultimate victory over death, a hope that resonates deeply with the Christian belief in the resurrection. The Second Reading from 1 Corinthians expands this vision, revealing that Christ's resurrection is the pivotal moment in human history. Through Adam, death entered the world, but through Christ, life is restored. Paul emphasizes that Christ's resurrection is not an isolated event but the first fruits of a greater harvest, where all believers will be united with Him. This passage invites us to see our lives within the broader narrative of salvation, where our struggles and sorrows are not ends in themselves but steps toward eternal life. In the Gospel, Jesus teaches that true life comes through self-sacrifice. Using the image of the grain of wheat, He illustrates that only by dying to oneself can one bear fruit. This is not a call to self-destruction but to a life of love and service. Jesus' words challenge us to reevaluate our priorities, letting go of our attachment to worldly comforts and ambitions, and instead embracing a life of discipleship. As we follow Him, we discover that the path to true glory is through humility and service. These readings remind us that our faith is rooted in the hope of resurrection. Like Job, we may face trials, but we can trust that our Redeemer lives. Like the early Christians, we are part of a larger story where Christ's victory over death is our own. And like the disciples, we are called to live lives of self-giving love. May we, in our daily lives, embody this hope, trusting that even in death, God brings forth new life.