Daily Readings - Thu Nov 21 2019
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 powerful stories of faith, courage, and the consequences of rejecting God’s will. The first reading from 1 Maccabees tells the story of Mattathias, a Jewish priest who refused to comply with King Antiochus’ decree to abandon the law of God. When a Jew approached the altar to sacrifice to idols, Mattathias, filled with righteous anger and fidelity to the law, killed both the man and the king’s emissary. His bold act of defiance became a rallying cry for those who sought to remain faithful to God. This passage reminds us that true faith requires courage and the willingness to stand firm, even in the face of overwhelming opposition.
The Gospel reading from Luke presents a stark contrast. Jesus weeps over Jerusalem, lamenting the city’s failure to recognize “the time of your visitation.” He foresees the destruction that will come upon the city because its people did not accept the peace God offered through him. Jesus’ sorrow reveals the depth of God’s love and the tragedy of spiritual blindness. Just as Mattathias stood firm in his faith, Jesus calls us to remain open to God’s presence and to recognize the gifts of grace He offers us.
Both readings challenge us to reflect on our own relationship with God. Mattathias’ courage inspires us to stand firm in our faith, even when it is difficult. Jesus’ lament reminds us to remain attentive to God’s presence in our lives and to embrace the peace He offers. In a world filled with distractions and temptations, we are called to be faithful and discerning, trusting in God’s plan and remaining open to His will. Let us strive to live with the courage of Mattathias and the humility to recognize God’s visitation in our lives.