Daily Readings - Tue Nov 17 2020
Revelation
1"And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: 'The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars."'I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.2Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God.3Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.4Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy.5The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.6He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'14"And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: 'The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation.15"'I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot!16So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.17For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.18I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.19Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.20Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.21The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.22He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'"
Luke
1He entered Jericho and was passing through.2And there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich.3And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small of stature.4So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way.5And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today."6So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully.7And when they saw it, they all grumbled, "He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner."8And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold."9And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham.10For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful messages about spiritual vigilance and the transformative power of encountering Christ. The first reading from Revelation addresses the churches in Sardis and Laodicea, urging them to awaken from their spiritual complacency. The church in Sardis is warned that while it appears alive, it is actually dead, and the church in Laodicea is rebuked for being lukewarm, neither fully committed nor entirely indifferent. Both communities are called to repentance, to seek the gold tested by fire, and to open the door to Christ’s presence in their lives. The Gospel from Luke presents us with the story of Zacchaeus, a wealthy tax collector who, despite his small stature and social marginalization, seeks Jesus with determination. When Jesus enters Zacchaeus’ home, it sparks a profound conversion: Zacchaeus pledges to give half his goods to the poor and to repay fourfold those he has cheated. Jesus declares that salvation has come to his house because Zacchaeus, like a true son of Abraham, has responded to God’s grace.
These readings are deeply connected in their emphasis on spiritual awakening and the call to live with integrity. Revelation’s message to the churches serves as a wake-up call, urging believers not to settle for mediocrity in their faith. Similarly, Zacchaeus’ story illustrates what it means to respond wholeheartedly to Christ’s presence. His actions demonstrate that true conversion involves not only a change of heart but also a change in behavior, particularly in how we treat others and use our resources. Both readings remind us that faith is not a passive state but an active, dynamic relationship with God that transforms every aspect of our lives.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: Are we spiritually lukewarm, going through the motions of faith without real passion or commitment? Do we allow Christ to enter our lives and challenge us to change? Zacchaeus’ example shows us that encountering Christ can lead to radical transformation, but it requires humility, openness, and a willingness to act. Let us strive to be vigilant in our faith, to seek the “gold tested by fire,” and to live in a way that reflects the love and justice of God. May we, like Zacchaeus, welcome Christ into our homes and hearts, and may our lives bear fruit in accordance with his will.