Daily Readings - Sun Nov 28 2021

¹⁴Behold, the days are approaching, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the good word that I have spoken to the house of Israel and to the house of Judah¹⁵In those days and at that time, I will cause the seedling of justice to spring up from David, and he will accomplish judgment and justice upon the earth¹⁶In those days, Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will live in confidence. And this is the name that they will call him: ‘The Lord, our Just One.

1 Thessalonians

Chapter 3

¹²And may the Lord multiply you, and make you abound in your charity toward one another and toward all, just as we also do toward you¹³in order to confirm your hearts without blame, in sanctity, before God our Father, unto the return of our Lord Jesus Christ, with all his saints. Amen

Chapter 4

¹Therefore, concerning other things, brothers, we ask and beg you, in the Lord Jesus, that, just as you have received from us the way in which you ought to walk and to please God, so also may you walk, in order that you may abound all the more²For you know what precepts I have given to you through the Lord Jesus

Luke

Chapter 21

²⁵And 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.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 invited to reflect on the themes of expectation, moral living, and preparedness. The prophet Jeremiah speaks of a future time when God will fulfill His promise to Israel and Judah, bringing justice and restoration through a messianic figure. This message of hope is set against the backdrop of exile, offering comfort to a people in despair. The second reading from Thessalonians encourages believers to live in a way that pleases God, abounding in love and maintaining moral integrity as they await the return of the Lord. The Gospel from Luke, part of Jesus' Olivet discourse, urges vigilance and prayer as signs of the end times unfold, reminding us to stay alert and prepared for the Lord's coming. Each reading, though distinct, weaves together a narrative of expectation and readiness. Jeremiah's prophecy points to the hope of justice and restoration, while Thessalonians emphasizes the importance of living a virtuous life as we anticipate the Lord's return. Luke's passage, with its imagery of cosmic signs and the urgency to remain vigilant, underscores the need for constant prayer and mindfulness. Together, these readings remind us that our faith is rooted in hope and that our actions should reflect our commitment to living according to God's will. As we apply these teachings to our daily lives, we are called to cultivate hope, live with integrity, and remain prayerful. Let us trust in God's promises, striving to love more deeply and live more justly. May we approach each day with the readiness of those who know that our redemption is near, trusting in God's plan and living faithfully in His grace.