Daily Readings - Fri Sep 29 2023

First Reading - Revelation 12.7-12a or Daniel 7.9-10, 13-14

⁷And there was a great battle in heaven. Michael and his Angels were battling with the dragon, and the dragon was fighting, and so were his angels⁸But they did not prevail, and a place for them was no longer found in heaven⁹And he was thrown out, that great dragon, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, who seduces the whole world. And he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were cast down with him¹⁰And I heard a great voice in heaven, saying: "Now have arrived salvation and virtue and the kingdom of our God and the power of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers has been cast down, he who accused them before our God day and night¹¹And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of his testimony. And they loved not their own lives, even unto death¹²Because of this, rejoice, O heavens, and all who dwell within it. Woe to the earth and to the sea! For the devil has descended to you, holding great anger, knowing that he has little time.

Daniel

Chapter 7

⁹I watched until thrones were set up, and the ancient of days sat down. His garment was radiant like snow, and the hair of his head like clean wool; his throne was flames of fire, its wheels had been set on fire¹⁰A river of fire rushed forth from his presence. Thousands upon thousands ministered to him, and ten thousand times hundreds of thousands attended before him. The trial began, and the books were opened¹³I watched, therefore, in the vision of the night, and behold, with the clouds of heaven, one like a son of man arrived, and he approached all the way to the ancient of days, and they presented him before him¹⁴And he gave him power, and honor, and the kingdom, and all peoples, tribes, and languages will serve him. His power is an eternal power, which will not be taken away, and his kingdom, one which will not be corrupted

John

Chapter 1

⁴⁷Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, and he said about him, "Behold, an Israelite in whom truly there is no deceit.⁴⁸Nathanael said to him, "From where do you know me?" Jesus responded and said to him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.⁴⁹Nathanael answered him and said: "Rabbi, you are the Son of God. You are the King of Israel.⁵⁰Jesus responded and said to him: "Because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree, you believe. Greater things than these, you will see.⁵¹And he said to him, "Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the Angels of God ascending and descending over the Son of man.

Sermon

In today’s readings, we are reminded of the cosmic struggle between good and evil, as well as the transformative power of faith in Jesus Christ. The first reading from Revelation describes a great battle in heaven between Michael and his angels and the dragon, who is identified as Satan. This passage is rich in symbolism, drawing from Jewish apocalyptic literature to depict the ultimate defeat of evil and the triumph of God’s kingdom. The dragon, cast down to earth, represents the forces of sin and deception that seek to divide and destroy. Yet, the reading assures us that the victory belongs to God, and His people overcome evil through the blood of the Lamb and the testimony of their faith. The Gospel reading from John shifts our focus to a more personal encounter with Jesus. Nathanael, initially skeptical, comes to recognize Jesus as the Son of God and the King of Israel after a simple yet profound revelation—Jesus saw him under the fig tree before they met. This moment of insight leads Nathanael to faith, and Jesus promises him that he will see even greater things, including the vision of heaven opened and angels ascending and descending on the Son of Man. This image evokes Jacob’s ladder from Genesis, symbolizing the connection between heaven and earth established through Jesus. Together, these readings invite us to reflect on our own place in the spiritual battle and our relationship with Christ. Like Nathanael, we are called to trust in God’s revelation, even when it seems mysterious or unexpected. In a world often filled with confusion and division, we are reminded that our ultimate hope lies in the victory of God’s kingdom, already begun through the death and resurrection of Jesus. Let us, therefore, live with courage and faith, knowing that we are part of a larger story where good triumphs over evil, and heaven is ever-present in our lives.