Daily Readings - Mon Nov 21 2022
Revelation
1And I saw, and behold, the Lamb was standing above mount Zion, and with him were one hundred and forty-four thousand, having his name and the name of his Father written on their foreheads2And I heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of a great thunder. And the voice that I heard was like that of singers, while playing on their stringed instruments3And they were singing what seemed like a new canticle before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. And no one was able to recite the canticle, except those one hundred and forty-four thousand, who were redeemed from the earth4These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are Virgins. These follow the Lamb wherever he will go. These were redeemed from men as the first-fruits for God and for the Lamb5And in their mouth, no lie was found, for they are without flaw before the throne of God
Luke
1And looking around, he saw the wealthy putting their donations into the offertory2Then he also saw a certain widow, a pauper, putting in two small brass coins3And he said: "Truly, I say to you, that this poor widow has put in more than all the others4For all these, out of their abundance, have added to the gifts for God. But she, out of what she needed, has put in all that she had to live on.
Sermon
The first reading from Revelation paints a vivid picture of the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, surrounded by 144,000 redeemed souls. These individuals are described as pure and unblemished, having been faithful to God without compromise. The passage emphasizes their devotion to the Lamb and their purity of heart, as they sing a new canticle before the throne of God. This vision is a glimpse into the ultimate triumph of God’s people, who have remained steadfast in their faith despite the challenges of the world.
In the Gospel, Luke presents a stark contrast between the wealthy who give from their abundance and the poor widow who offers her last two coins. Jesus points out that the widow’s offering, though small in material value, is far greater in the eyes of God because it represents her total surrender and trust in God’s providence. This teaching challenges us to reflect on the quality of our own giving—whether it is done with love, generosity, and faith, or merely out of obligation.
Both readings invite us to consider the depth of our commitment to God. The 144,000 in Revelation represent those who have given their all to follow the Lamb, while the widow in Luke exemplifies radical trust in God’s care. In our daily lives, we are called to live with this same kind of surrender and generosity. Whether through our time, talents, or resources, we are to offer everything to God, trusting that He will provide for us. Let us strive to live as people of faith, giving freely and loving deeply, just as the widow and the redeemed in today’s readings.