Daily Readings - Sun Nov 14 2021

¹"But at that time Michael will rise up, the great leader, who stands up for the sons of your people. And a time will come, such as has not been from the time that nations began, even until that time. And, at that time, your people will be saved, all who will be found written in the book²And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth will awaken: some to everlasting life, and others to a reproach that they will always see³But those who have taught will shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who instruct many towards justice, like the stars for unending eternity

Hebrews

Chapter 10

¹¹And certainly, every priest stands by, ministering daily, and frequently offering the same sacrifices, which are never able to take away sins¹²But this man, offering one sacrifice for sins, sits at the right hand of God forever¹³awaiting that time when his enemies will be made his footstool¹⁴For, by one oblation, he has brought to fulfillment, for all time, those who are sanctified¹⁸Now, when there is a remission of these things, there is no longer an oblation for sin

Mark

Chapter 13

²⁴But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give her splendor²⁵And the stars of heaven will be falling down, and the powers that are in heaven will be moved²⁶And then they shall see the Son of man arriving on the clouds, with great power and glory²⁷And then he will send his Angels, and gather together his elect, from the four winds, from the limits of the earth, to the limits of heaven²⁸Now from the fig tree discern a parable. When its branch becomes tender and the foliage has been formed, you know that summer is very near²⁹So also, when you will have seen these things happen, know that it is very near, even at the doors³⁰Amen I say to you, that this lineage shall not pass away, until all these things have happened³¹Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my word shall not pass away³²But concerning that day or hour, no one knows, neither the Angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father

Sermon

In today's readings, we journey through themes of hope, sacrifice, and vigilance, all pointing us toward the eternal plan of God. The first reading from Daniel presents a vision of the end times, where the archangel Michael will rise to protect God's people, and the dead will be judged based on their deeds. This passage reminds us that our actions have consequences and that God's justice will ultimately prevail. The second reading from Hebrews contrasts the repetitive sacrifices of the Old Covenant with the perfect, once-for-one sacrifice of Christ, which has forever sanctified those who believe in him. This emphasizes the completeness and sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice for our salvation. In the Gospel, Mark 13, Jesus speaks about the signs of the end times and the coming of the Son of Man. He encourages his disciples to be attentive and ready, using the parable of the fig tree to illustrate the importance of discerning the signs of the times. These readings are deeply connected. Daniel and Mark both speak of a future time of great upheaval and transformation, while Hebrews provides the theological foundation for understanding the ultimate purpose of these events. The resurrection of the dead in Daniel and the gathering of the elect in Mark point to God's plan to bring creation to its fulfillment. Hebrews ties this together by showing how Christ's sacrifice has made possible the salvation of those who will be raised and glorified. Together, the readings invite us to live with hope and confidence, knowing that God's plan is unfolding even in the midst of uncertainty. As we reflect on these readings, let us apply their message to our daily lives. In a world filled with challenges and uncertainties, we are called to remain vigilant and faithful, trusting in God's providence. Just as the fig tree signals the coming of summer, so too can we discern the signs of God's presence and action in our lives. Let us live with purpose, striving to teach and inspire others in the ways of justice and holiness, as Daniel suggests. Above all, let us take comfort in the truth that Christ's sacrifice has already secured our salvation, and that his word will endure forever. May we embrace this hope and live each day in preparation for the eternal life that awaits us.