Daily Readings - Thu Nov 17 2022
Revelation
1And in the right hand of the One sitting upon the throne, I saw a book, written inside and out, sealed with seven seals2And I saw a strong Angel, proclaiming with a great voice, "Who is worthy to open the book and to break its seals?3And no one was able, neither in heaven, nor on earth, nor under the earth, to open the book, nor to gaze upon it4And I wept greatly because no one was found worthy to open the book, nor to see it5And one of the elders said to me: "Weep not. Behold, the lion from the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has prevailed to open the book and to break its seven seals.6And I saw, and behold, in the midst of the throne and the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, a Lamb was standing, as if it were slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God, sent forth to all the earth7And he approached and received the book from the right hand of the One sitting upon the throne8And when he had opened the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having stringed instruments, as well as golden bowls full of fragrances, which are the prayers of the saints9And they were singing a new canticle, saying: "O Lord, you are worthy to receive the book and to open its seals, because you were slain and have redeemed us for God, by your blood, from every tribe and language and people and nation10And you have made us into a kingdom and into priests for our God, and we shall reign over the earth.
Luke
41And when he drew near, seeing the city, he wept over it, saying42"If only you had known, indeed even in this your day, which things are for your peace. But now they are hidden from your eyes43For the days will overtake you. And your enemies will encircle you with a valley. And they will surround you and hem you in on every side44And they will knock you down to the ground, with your sons who are in you. And they will not leave stone upon stone within you, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter profound reflections on recognition and redemption. The first reading from Revelation presents a vivid scene where a sealed scroll, symbolizing God’s plan, can only be opened by the Lamb, who is Jesus. This passage underscores Jesus’ role as the redeemer, whose sacrifice makes Him worthy to unfold God’s plan. The second reading from Luke depicts Jesus weeping over Jerusalem, lamenting the city’s failure to recognize the time of their visitation, leading to impending destruction. This passage highlights the consequences of not acknowledging God’s presence and plan.
Both readings, though distinct in context, share a common theme: the importance of recognizing God’s presence and plan. Revelation, with its apocalyptic imagery, reminds us of God’s ultimate victory through Jesus, while Luke’s narrative serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of spiritual blindness. Together, they call us to a deeper awareness of God’s will in our lives.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to reflect on our own ability to recognize God’s presence. Just as the Lamb was recognized as worthy, we too must open our hearts to God’s plan. Like the people of Jerusalem, we risk missing opportunities for peace if we fail to see God’s hand at work. Let us seek to understand and follow God’s will, embracing His plan with openness and faith, to avoid the consequences of ignorance and to partake in His redeeming love.