Daily Readings - Thu Nov 24 2022
Revelation
1And after these things, I saw another Angel, descending from heaven, having great authority. And the earth was illuminated by his glory2And he cried out with strength, saying: "Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great. And she has become the habitation of demons, and the keepsake of every unclean spirit, and the possession of every unclean and hateful flying thing21And a certain strong Angel took up a stone, similar to a great millstone, and he cast it into the sea, saying: "With this force shall Babylon, that great city, be cast down. And she shall never be found again22And the sound of singers, and musicians, and flute and trumpet players shall not be heard in you again. And every artisan of every art shall not be found in you again. And the sound of the mill shall not be heard in you again23And the light of the lamp shall not shine in you again. And the voice of the groom and of the bride shall not be heard in you anymore. For your merchants were the leaders of the earth. For all the nations were led astray by your drugs
1After these things, I heard something like the voice of many multitudes in heaven, saying: "Alleluia! Praise and glory and power is for our God2For true and just are his judgments, he who has judged the great harlot that corrupted the earth by her prostitution. And he has vindicated the blood of his servants from her hands.3And again, they said: "Alleluia! For her smoke ascends forever and ever.9And he said to me: "Write: Blessed are those who have been called to the wedding feast of the Lamb." And he said to me, "These words of God are true.
Luke
20Then, when you will have seen Jerusalem encircled by an army, know then that its desolation has drawn near21Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and those who are in its midst withdraw, and those who are in the countryside not enter into it22For these are the days of retribution, so that all things may be fulfilled, which have been written23Then woe to those who are pregnant or nursing in those days. For there will be great distress upon the land and great wrath upon this people24And they will fall by the edge of the sword. And they will be led away as captives into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by the Gentiles, until the times of the nations are fulfilled25And 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.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on judgment, redemption, and the ultimate triumph of God’s justice. In the first reading from Revelation, we see the dramatic fall of Babylon, a symbol of corruption and evil, and the joyful celebration of God’s victory in heaven. The city, once filled with life and music, is now silent and desolate, a testament to the consequences of turning away from God. The Gospel from Luke, however, shifts our focus to the future, as Jesus describes the signs of the end times and the coming of the Son of Man. He warns of great distress and upheaval but also offers a message of hope: when these events begin to unfold, we are to lift our heads, for our redemption is near.
Both readings are set against the backdrop of apocalyptic imagery, which can be unsettling, but they are ultimately about trust in God’s plan. Revelation was written to comfort persecuted Christians, reminding them that despite the powers of evil in the world, God’s justice will prevail. Similarly, Luke’s passage is part of Jesus’ Olivet Discourse, where He prepares His disciples for the challenges they will face, including the destruction of Jerusalem. These readings remind us that God’s judgment is not just punishment but also a call to repentance and a promise of ultimate restoration.
In our daily lives, these readings challenge us to remain faithful and hopeful, even in the face of uncertainty and trial. They invite us to interpret the chaos of the world through the lens of faith, trusting that God is always working to bring about good. Let us not be afraid of the unknown but instead focus on living lives rooted in love, compassion, and fidelity to God’s will. As we await the final redemption, may we lift our heads with confidence, knowing that God’s justice and mercy will guide us through all things.