Daily Readings - Sun Nov 02 2025
Wisdom
1But the souls of the just are in the hand of God and no torment of death will touch them2In the eyes of the foolish, they seemed to die, and their departure was considered an affliction3and their going away from us, a banishment. Yet they are in peace4And though, in the sight of men, they suffered torments, their hope is full of immortality5Troubled in few things, in many things they will be well compensated, because God has tested them and found them worthy of himself6Like gold in the furnace, he has proved them, and as a holocaust victim, he has received them, and in the time of their visitatio7they will shine, and they will dash about like sparks among stubble8They will judge the nations and they will rule over the people, and their Lord will reign forever9Those who trust in him, will understand the truth, and those who are faithful in love will rest in him, because grace and peace is for his elect
Revelation
1I saw the new heaven and the new earth. For the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and the sea is no more2And I, John, saw the Holy City, the New Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband3And I heard a great voice from the throne, saying: "Behold the tabernacle of God with men. And he will dwell with them, and they will be his people. And God himself will be their God with them4And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. And death shall be no more. And neither mourning, nor crying out, nor grief shall be anymore. For the first things have passed away.5And the One who was sitting upon the throne, said, "Behold, I make all things new." And he said to me, "Write, for these words are entirely faithful and true.6And he said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To those who thirst, I will give freely from the fountain of the water of life7Whoever prevails shall possess these things. And I will be his God, and he shall be my son
Luke
11And it happened afterwards that he went to a city, which is called Nain. And his disciples, and an abundant crowd, went with him12Then, when he had drawn near to the gate of the city, behold, a deceased person was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her13And when the Lord had seen her, being moved by mercy over her, he said to her, "Do not weep.14And he drew near and touched the coffin. Then those who carried it stood still. And he said, "Young man, I say to you, arise.15And the dead youth sat up and began to speak. And he gave him to his mother16Then fear fell over all of them. And they magnified God, saying: "For a great prophet has risen up among us," and, "For God has visited his people.17And this word about him went out to all of Judea and to the entire surrounding region
Sermon
The readings today offer us a profound reflection on hope, trust in God, and the ultimate triumph of life over death. In the first reading from the Book of Wisdom, we hear about the souls of the just who, though they may seem to die in the eyes of the foolish, are in fact at peace in the hand of God. Their suffering is not the end but a purification, like gold refined in a furnace, and they will shine in the time of God’s visitation. This passage reminds us that our earthly struggles are not the final word; there is an eternal life where the faithful will judge nations and reign with God.
The second reading from Revelation paints a vivid picture of the new heaven and the new earth, where God dwells with humanity, wiping away every tear and ending death and mourning. This vision is a promise of renewal and restoration, assuring us that all things will be made new. It invites us to trust in God’s plan and to long for the day when we will live in his presence without pain or sorrow. This hope is not just for the future; it is a reality that shapes how we live today.
In the Gospel, Luke tells the story of Jesus raising the widow’s only son. Moved by compassion, Jesus touches the coffin and restores the young man to life. This miracle is not just a display of power but a revelation of God’s heart—a heart that beats with love and mercy. The crowd’s response—glorifying God and recognizing his presence among them—reminds us that faith is awakened when we encounter God’s love and power. Like the widow, we are called to trust in Jesus, even in our darkest moments, knowing that he is the Lord of life and death.
These readings remind us that our faith is rooted in hope. Even in the midst of suffering and death, we are called to trust in God’s plan and to see beyond the present moment. Like the souls of the just, we are being purified in this life so that we might shine in eternity. Like the widow, we are invited to encounter Jesus, who brings life and hope to those who are hurting. Let us live with this hope, trusting that God will make all things new, and let us show compassion to those around us, just as Jesus did. In him, we have the promise of eternal life, and in him, we find the strength to face whatever comes our way.