Daily Readings - Thu Nov 22 2018
Revelation
1Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals.2And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?"3And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it,4and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it.5And one of the elders said to me, "Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals."6And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.7And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne.8And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.9And they sang a new song, saying, "Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation,10and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth."
Luke
41And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it,42saying, "Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.43For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side44and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. And they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound themes of revelation, judgment, and redemption. The first reading from Revelation 5:1-10 presents a vision of Jesus as the Lamb, worthy to open the sealed book. This book symbolizes God's plan and judgment, and only Jesus, through His sacrifice, can unlock it. The scene is one of worship, with creatures and elders praising Jesus for His redemption of all people. The Gospel from Luke 19:41-44 shows Jesus weeping over Jerusalem, lamenting the city's failure to recognize God's visitation, which leads to prophesied destruction. This highlights the sorrow of unmet spiritual awareness.
Both readings connect through the theme of recognizing God's presence and plan. Revelation reveals Jesus as the key to understanding God's judgment and redemption, while Luke illustrates the consequences of spiritual blindness. Together, they urge us to be attentive to God's presence in our lives. Just as Jerusalem missed its moment, we must not overlook ours. Jesus' sacrifice, as the Lamb, is central to this understanding, offering redemption and urging us to respond to God's visitation.
The moral lesson here is clear: spiritual awareness is crucial. We must recognize and respond to God's presence to avoid spiritual downfall. Let us reflect on our own lives, ensuring we are attentive to God's visitation, embracing His plan, and living in the light of His redemption.