Daily Readings - Fri Sep 29 2017
First Reading - Revelation 12.7-12a or Daniel 7.9-10, 13-14
Revelation
7Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back,8but he was defeated and there was no longer any place for them in heaven.9And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world--he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.10And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, "Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.11And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.12Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!"
Daniel
9As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of days took his seat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames; its wheels were burning fire.10A stream of fire issued and came out from before him; a thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him; the court sat in judgment, and the books were opened.13I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him.14And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.
John
47Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!"48Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you."49Nathanael answered him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!"50Jesus answered him, "Because I said to you, 'I saw you under the fig tree,' do you believe? You will see greater things than these."51And he said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man."
Sermon
The first reading from Revelation paints a dramatic scene of a cosmic battle between good and evil. Michael and the angels of heaven defeat the dragon, Satan, who is cast out of heaven and thrown down to earth. This passage is not just about a battle; it’s about the ultimate triumph of God’s kingdom over evil. The dragon, representing Satan, is the deceiver of the world, but his power is limited and his time is short. The reading reminds us that our strength comes not from ourselves, but from the blood of the Lamb and the testimony of faith. Even in the face of evil, we are called to trust in God’s victory and to rejoice in His kingdom.
In the Gospel, Jesus meets Nathanael, who is initially skeptical but quickly comes to faith when Jesus reveals his knowledge of Nathanael’s life. Jesus sees Nathanael under the fig tree, a moment that speaks of intimacy and divine knowledge. Nathanael’s response, “You are the Son of God, the King of Israel,” shows the depth of his faith. Jesus then promises Nathanael that he will see even greater things—Angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man. This passage invites us to reflect on our own encounters with Jesus. Do we, like Nathanael, allow ourselves to be seen and known by God? Do we trust in His divine plan, even when we cannot fully understand it?
Both readings invite us to live with faith and hope in the midst of life’s challenges. The battle between good and evil is real, but we know that God has already won the war through the sacrifice of His Son. Like Nathanael, we are called to trust in Jesus, even when the road ahead seems uncertain. Let us remember that our strength lies not in our own efforts, but in the power of God’s love and mercy. As we navigate the ups and downs of daily life, may we always turn to Him, knowing that He sees us, knows us, and guides us toward His kingdom.