Daily Readings - Wed Nov 01 2017
Revelation
2Then I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, with the seal of the living God, and he called with a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm earth and sea,3saying, "Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads."4And I heard the number of the sealed, 144,000, sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel:9After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands,10and crying out with a loud voice, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!"11And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God,12saying, "Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen."13Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, "Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?"14I said to him, "Sir, you know." And he said to me, "These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
1 John
1See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.2Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.3And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.
Matthew
1Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.2And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:3"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.4"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.5"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.6"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.7"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.8"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.9"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.10"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.11"Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.12Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are invited to reflect on the hope of eternal life and the call to live as children of God. The first reading from Revelation paints a vivid picture of the heavenly liturgy, where a great multitude from all nations stands before the throne of God, clothed in white robes, praising him for salvation. This vision reminds us that our ultimate destiny is to be united with God in eternal worship, and that this unity transcends every division of nationality, language, or culture. The 144,000 sealed servants of God represent the chosen ones, but the greater crowd that no one could number shows that God’s mercy and salvation extend far beyond any limited understanding.
The second reading from 1 John deepens this theme by emphasizing our identity as children of God. John reminds us that we are already called to be God’s sons and daughters, but our true fulfillment lies in what we shall be when Christ appears. This hope transforms us, urging us to live holy lives, for we are called to be like God who is holy. Our present struggles and imperfections are temporary, for when Christ comes again, we shall see him as he is and share in his glory.
In the Gospel, Matthew presents the Beatitudes, which are not just blessings but a blueprint for living as children of God. Jesus teaches that true happiness comes from humility, compassion, and a thirst for justice. Those who are poor in spirit, meek, merciful, and pure in heart are not only blessed but are called to be peacemakers and to endure persecution for the sake of righteousness. These teachings challenge us to reevaluate our values and priorities, to embrace a life of simplicity, forgiveness, and trust in God’s providence.
These readings remind us that our lives are not measured by earthly success or comfort but by our fidelity to God’s will and our love for others. As we journey through life’s trials, we are called to keep our eyes fixed on the hope of eternal life, to live with integrity, and to trust that God’s plan will unfold in his time. Let us strive to be among those who wear the white robes of purity, who have endured tribulation, and who now worship God in heaven. May we live each day with the hope of seeing God face to face and with the courage to be his faithful children in a world that often does not know him.