Daily Catholic Mass Readings for November 17, 2023
First Reading: Wisdom 13.1-9
1But all men are vain, who are not under the knowledge of God, and who, from these good things that are seen, were not able to understand he who is, nor, by paying attention to the works, did they acknowledge he who was the artisan2Instead, they had considered either the fire, or the air, or the atmosphere, or the circle of stars, or the great sea, or the sun and moon, to be the gods that rule the world3If they, being delighted by such sights, supposed them to be gods, let them know how great the Lord of them is in splendor. For he who created all things is the author of beauty4Or, if they wondered at their power and their effects, let them understand by these things, that he who created them is mightier than they are5For, by the greatness of the creation and its beauty, the creator of these will be able to be seen discernibly6Yet, up to this point, the complaint about this is lesser. For perhaps they made a mistake in this, while desiring and seeking to find God7And, indeed, having some familiarity with him through his works, they search, and they are persuaded, because the things that they are seeing are good8But, then again, neither can their debt be ignored9For, if they were able to know enough so that they could value the universe, how is it they did not easily discover the Lord of it
Psalm 19
1Unto the end. A Psalm of David. The heavens describe the glory of God, and the firmament announces the work of his hands2Day proclaims the word to day, and night to night imparts knowledge3There are no speeches or conversations, where their voices are not being heard4Their sound has gone forth through all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world5He has placed his tabernacle in the sun, and he is like a bridegroom coming out of his bedroom. He has exulted like a giant running along the way6his departure is from the summit of heaven. And his course reaches all the way to its summit. Neither is there anyone who can hide himself from his heat7The law of the Lord is immaculate, converting souls. The testimony of the Lord is faithful, providing wisdom to little ones8The justice of the Lord is right, rejoicing hearts. The precepts of the Lord are brilliant, enlightening the eyes9The fear of the Lord is holy, enduring for all generations. The judgments of the Lord are true, justified in themselves10desirable beyond gold and many precious stones, and sweeter than honey and the honeycomb11For, indeed, your servant keeps them, and in keeping them, there are many rewards12Who can understand transgression? From my hidden faults, cleanse me, O Lord13and from those of others, spare your servant. If they will have no dominion over me, then I will be immaculate, and I will be cleansed from the greatest transgression14And the eloquence of my mouth will be so as to please, along with the meditation of my heart, in your sight, forever, O Lord, my helper and my redeemer
Gospel: Luke 17.26-37
26And just as it happened in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of man27They were eating and drinking; they were taking wives and being given in marriage, even until the day that Noah entered the ark. And the flood came and destroyed them all28It shall be similar to what happened in the days of Lot. They were eating and drinking; they were buying and selling; they were planting and building29Then, on the day that Lot departed from Sodom, it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and it destroyed them all30According to these things, so shall it be in the day when the Son of man will be revealed31In that hour, whoever will be on the rooftop, with his goods in the house, let him not descend to take them. And whoever will be in the field, similarly, let him not turn back32Remember Lot’s wife33Whoever has sought to save his life, will lose it; and whoever has lost it, will bring it back to life34I say to you, in that night, there will be two in one bed. One will be taken up, and the other will be left behind35Two will be at the grindstone together. One will be taken up, and the other will be left behind. Two will be in the field. One will be taken up, and the other will be left behind.36Responding, they said to him, "Where, Lord?37And he said to them, "Wherever the body will be, in that place also, the eagles shall be gathered together.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the relationship between creation, judgment, and our ultimate destiny. In the first reading from the Book of Wisdom, we hear a critique of those who fail to recognize the Creator despite the beauty and order of creation. The author laments that while people marvel at the power and beauty of the natural world, they often stop short of acknowledging the One who made it all. This passage serves as a reminder that creation is not an end in itself but a pointer to the divine. It warns against idolizing the created world and urges us to seek the Creator who is the source of all life and beauty.
The Gospel from Luke shifts our focus to the future, warning us about the suddenness of God’s judgment. Jesus draws parallels between the days of Noah and Lot and the days of the Son of Man. Just as the people of Noah’s time were caught up in their daily lives, unaware of the impending flood, and just as the people of Sodom were destroyed when they least expected it, so too will the coming of the Son of Man be unexpected and disruptive. Jesus emphasizes the importance of being prepared and detached from worldly concerns. His words are not meant to inspire fear but to call us to live with vigilance and faith, trusting in God’s plan.
These readings challenge us to live with a balanced perspective: to appreciate the beauty of creation without becoming enslaved by it, and to remain alert to the ultimate reality of God’s judgment. In our daily lives, this means cultivating gratitude for the gifts of creation while keeping our hearts fixed on the things that truly last. It also means being mindful of how we live, ensuring that our choices and priorities reflect our commitment to follow Christ. Let us not be like those who, in the time of Noah and Lot, were so focused on the present that they forgot the future. Instead, let us live in such a way that we are ready to meet the Lord whenever and wherever he comes.