Daily Readings - Mon Nov 16 2020
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
In today's readings, we explore themes of faith, love, and spiritual perseverance. The first reading from Revelation addresses the Church of Ephesus, commending their endurance and discernment but urging them to rekindle their initial fervor for God. This serves as a reminder to the early Church, and to us, to maintain our spiritual passion amidst challenges. The Gospel from Luke presents a blind man whose persistent faith leads to his healing by Jesus, emphasizing the transformative power of unwavering belief.
Both readings highlight the importance of maintaining our spiritual roots. The Ephesians, despite their endurance, had lost their first love, a lesson for us to regularly assess our spiritual state. Similarly, the blind man's persistence despite opposition teaches us that true faith leads to spiritual sight. These stories encourage us to hold fast to our faith and love, ensuring they remain vibrant in our lives.
As we reflect on these passages, let us consider our own spiritual journeys. Have we, like the Ephesians, allowed our initial fervor to wane? Let us strive to rekindle our love for God and maintain steadfast faith, just as the blind man did. In doing so, we may experience spiritual renewal and draw closer to God. Let us remember that faith and love are not static but dynamic, requiring nurture and attention to flourish.