Daily Readings - Mon Nov 19 2018
Revelation
1The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,2who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw.3Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.4John to the seven churches that are in Asia:Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne,
1"To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: 'The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.2"'I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false.3I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary.4But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.5Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.
Luke
35As he drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging.36And hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what this meant.37They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by."38And he cried out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"39And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"40And Jesus stopped and commanded him to be brought to him. And when he came near, he asked him,41"What do you want me to do for you?" He said, "Lord, let me recover my sight."42And Jesus said to him, "Recover your sight; your faith has made you well."43And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of faith, perseverance, and the call to remain steadfast in our relationship with God. In the first reading from Revelation, John addresses the Church of Ephesus, commending their endurance and discernment but also challenging them to reclaim the love and zeal they once had for God. This passage reminds us that even in the midst of trials and challenges, our faith must remain vibrant and rooted in love. The Gospel from Luke tells the story of a blind man who, despite being rebuked by the crowd, cries out to Jesus with persistence and faith. His plea for mercy is heard, and he is healed, both physically and spiritually, as he comes to see the truth of God’s love.
These readings are connected by the theme of spiritual sight and the importance of maintaining a living, active faith. The Church in Ephesus is warned not to lose their first love, while the blind man in Luke gains both physical and spiritual sight through his unwavering trust in Jesus. Both passages call us to examine our own relationship with God—are we allowing our faith to grow lukewarm, or are we seeking to deepen our connection with Him? The blind man’s persistence in the face of opposition reminds us that true faith is not passive but bold and insistent, trusting in God’s power to transform our lives.
In our daily lives, we can apply these lessons by reflecting on our own spiritual state. Are there areas where our love for God has grown cold? Do we, like the blind man, have the courage to cry out for healing and grace, even when others discourage us? Let us remember that faith is not about feeling but about trusting in God’s promises. As we navigate life’s challenges, may we remain steadfast in our devotion, seeking to renew our first love for God and to walk in the light of His truth. Through persistent prayer and a willingness to repent, we can regain our spiritual sight and follow Jesus with renewed passion and joy.