Daily Catholic Mass Readings for November 20, 2022
First Reading: 2 Samuel 5.1-3
1And all the tribes of Israel went to David in Hebron, saying: "Behold, we are your bone and your flesh2Moreover, yesterday and the day before, when Saul was king over us, you were the one leading out and leading back Israel. Then the Lord said to you, ‘You shall pasture my people Israel, and you shall be the leader over Israel.’ 3Also, the elders of Israel went to the king at Hebron, and king David struck a pact with them at Hebron in the sight of the Lord. And they anointed David as king over Israel
Psalm 122
1A Canticle in steps. I rejoiced in the things that were said to me: "We shall go into the house of the Lord.2Our feet were standing in your courts, O Jerusalem3Jerusalem has been built as a city, whose participation is unto itself4For to that place, the tribes ascended, the tribes of the Lord: the testimony of Israel, to confess to the name of the Lord5For in that place, seats have sat down in judgment, seats above the house of David6Petition for the things that are for the peace of Jerusalem, and for abundance for those who love you7Let peace be in your virtue, and abundance in your towers8For the sake of my brothers and my neighbors, I spoke peace about you9For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I sought good things for you
Second Reading: Colossians 1.12-20
12giving thanks to God the Father, who has made us worthy to have a share in the portion of the saints, in the light13For he has rescued us from the power of darkness, and he has transferred us into the kingdom of the Son of his love14in whom we have redemption through his blood, the remission of sins15He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of every creature16For in him was created everything in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, or dominations, or principalities, or powers. All things were created through him and in him17And he is before all, and in him all things continue18And he is the head of his body, the Church. He is the beginning, the first-born from the dead, so that in all things he may hold primacy19For the Father is well-pleased that all fullness reside in him20and that, through him, all things be reconciled to himself, making peace through the blood of his cross, for the things that are on earth, as well as the things that are in heaven
Gospel: Luke 23.35-43
35And people were standing near, watching. And the leaders among them derided him, saying: "He saved others. Let him save himself, if this one is the Christ, the elect of God.36And the soldiers also ridiculed him, approaching him and offering him vinegar37and saying, "If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.38Now there was also an inscription written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS39And one of those robbers who were hanging blasphemed him, saying, "If you are the Christ, save yourself and us.40But the other responded by rebuking him, saying: "Do you have no fear of God, since you are under the same condemnation41And indeed, it is just for us. For we are receiving what our deeds deserve. But truly, this one has done nothing wrong.42And he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom.43And Jesus said to him, "Amen I say to you, this day you shall be with me in Paradise.
Sermon
In today's readings, we journey through themes of leadership, redemption, and divine kingship, each offering profound insights into God's plan and our place within it. The first reading from 2 Samuel recounts David's anointing as king over Israel, highlighting his earthly leadership and the covenant made with his people. This narrative underscores the importance of recognizing and embracing God's chosen leaders, reflecting a community united under divine guidance.
The second reading from Colossians elevates our gaze to the divine, portraying Jesus as the firstborn of all creation and the head of the Church. It emphasizes Jesus' role in creation and redemption, illustrating His supremacy over all things visible and invisible. This passage invites us to contemplate the cosmic significance of Christ's mission and our participation in His redemptive work.
The Gospel from Luke presents Jesus on the cross, mocked by leaders yet acknowledged by a repentant thief. This scene contrasts earthly skepticism with humble faith, as the thief recognizes Jesus' kingship even in His suffering. Jesus' promise of Paradise to the thief exemplifies His mercy and the assurance of salvation to those who trust in Him.
These readings intertwine to reveal the nature of true kingship and leadership. David's earthly reign prefigures Christ's divine kingship, while the thief's faith exemplifies the humility and trust required to recognize God's plan. In our lives, we are called to lead with humility, trusting in God's providence, and to seek redemption through faith in Jesus, our true King.
As we reflect on these readings, let us embrace the call to trust in God's plan, recognizing His presence in our lives. May we lead with humility and seek redemption through faith, remembering that true kingship is not about power but about serving and loving as Christ did. In doing so, we find our place within God's grand narrative of salvation.