Daily Readings - Sun Dec 01 2024

¹⁴Behold, the days are approaching, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the good word that I have spoken to the house of Israel and to the house of Judah¹⁵In those days and at that time, I will cause the seedling of justice to spring up from David, and he will accomplish judgment and justice upon the earth¹⁶In those days, Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will live in confidence. And this is the name that they will call him: ‘The Lord, our Just One.

1 Thessalonians

Chapter 3

¹²And may the Lord multiply you, and make you abound in your charity toward one another and toward all, just as we also do toward you¹³in order to confirm your hearts without blame, in sanctity, before God our Father, unto the return of our Lord Jesus Christ, with all his saints. Amen

Chapter 4

¹Therefore, concerning other things, brothers, we ask and beg you, in the Lord Jesus, that, just as you have received from us the way in which you ought to walk and to please God, so also may you walk, in order that you may abound all the more²For you know what precepts I have given to you through the Lord Jesus

Luke

Chapter 21

²⁵And 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.³⁴But be attentive to yourselves, lest perhaps your hearts may be weighed down by self-indulgence and inebriation and the cares of this life. And then that day may overwhelm you suddenly³⁵For like a snare it will overwhelm all those who sit upon the face of the entire earth³⁶And so, be vigilant, praying at all times, so that you may be held worthy to escape from all these things, which are in the future, and to stand before the Son of man.

Sermon

In today’s readings, we are presented with a tapestry of hope, preparation, and the call to live justly. The prophet Jeremiah speaks of a future where God’s promise of justice and restoration is fulfilled through a leader from David’s line, a prophecy realized in Jesus Christ. This message, born out of the hope during the Babylonian exile, reminds us of God’s faithfulness and the ultimate restoration He promises. The second reading from Thessalonians encourages believers to abound in love and live blamelessly, preparing for the Lord’s return. Paul’s words resonate with the early Christian communities, emphasizing ethical living and readiness for Christ’s coming. This ties seamlessly into the Gospel, where Jesus describes the signs of the end times and urges His disciples to remain vigilant and prayerful, not to be swayed by worldly distractions. These readings weave together the themes of hope, justice, and preparation. Jeremiah’s prophecy finds its fulfillment in Jesus, who embodies justice and restoration. Thessalonians calls us to live in love and readiness, while the Gospel warns against complacency, encouraging us to stay alert and focused on our faith. As we navigate our daily lives, let us embrace this call to live with purpose, trusting in God’s plan and maintaining hope in His promises. May we stay vigilant, grounded in love and justice, ever-ready to stand before the Son of Man.